Group I. No.. 202 



Price 10 cents 



GV 867 
.1192 
1919 
Copy 1 



I 



ATHLrBTIC LIBRARY 



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No. 501L. STROKES AND SCIENCE OF I.AWN TENNIS 

No. 502L. HOW TO PLAY GOLF 

No. 503L. HOW TO PLAY FOOT BALI. « 

No. 504L. ART OF SKATING 

No. 505L. GET WELL— KEEP WELL 

No. 506L. HOW TO LIVE 100 YEARS 

No. 507L. HOW TO WRESTLE 

No. 608L. HOW TO PLAY LAWN TENNIS; KOW TO PI/AY 

TENNIS FOR BEGINNERS 

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No. 519L. SPALDING'S OFFICIAL BASE BALL GUIDE 

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No. 523L. HOW TO PLAY BASE BALL; HOW TO MANAGE 

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No. 524L. SPALDING'S LAWN TENNIS ANNUAL 

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BALL PERCENTAGES 

No. 536L. HOW TO CATCH; HOW TO BAT 

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SPALDING ATHLETIC LIBRARY 



Group I. Base Ball 

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No. 1 Spalding's Official Base Ball 

Guide 
No. IS Spalding's Official Base Ball 

Guide. Spanish Edition. 
No. 202 How to Play Base Ball 
No. 219 Ready Reckoner of Base Ball 
No. 223 How to Bat [Percentages 
No. 224 How to Play the Outfield 
No. 225 How to Play First Base 
No. 226 How to Play Second Base 
No. 227 How to Play Third Base 
No. 228 How to Play Shortstop 
No. 229 How to Catch 
No. 230 How to Pitch 

"How to Organize a Base Ball 
League [Club 

How to Organize a Base Ball 
No. J How to Manage a Base Ball 
Club 
How toTrain a Base BallTeam 
How to Captain a Team 
L Technical Base Ball Terms 
No. 232 How to Run Bases 
No. 350 How to Score 
No. 355 Minor League Base Ball Guide 
No. 356 Official Book National League 
Na 9 Spalding's Official Indoor 

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No. 47R. How to Play Foot Ball 
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Annual 

(Continued on 



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No. 178 How to Train for Bicycling 

No. 182 All Around Athletics 

No. 255 How to Run 100 Yards 

No. 302 Y. M. C. A. Official Handbook 

No. 317 Marathon Running 

No. 342 Walking for Health and Com- 
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No. 362 Track. Relay and Cross Coun- 
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No. 3P. How to Become an Athlete 
By James E. Sullivan 

No. 4P. How to Sprint 

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No. 17R. Olympic Games, Stockholm, 
1912 [book 

No. 45R. Intercollegiate Official Hand- 
No. 48R. Distance and Cross Country 
Running 

No. 70R. How to Become a Weight 
Thrower 
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No. 246 Athletic Training for School- 
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No. 71R. Public Schools Athletic 
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No. 74R. Schoolyard Athletics 

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No. 128 How to Row 

No. 129 Water Polo [Guide 

No. 361 Intercollegiate Swimming 

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No. 36R. Speed Swimming 

No. 37R. How to Swim 

No. 60R. Canoeing and Camping 

PfAnn Y Athletic Games for 

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Basket Ball Guide 
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No. 13 American Game of Hand Ball 

No. 364 Volley Ball 

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No. 49R. How to Bowl 

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No. 16R. Team Wand Drill 

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Ground Tumbling 

No. 67R. Exercises on the Side Horsei 

Exercises on the Flying 

Rings. 

No. 68R. Horizontal Bar Exercises ; 

Exercises on Parallel Bars 

Group XVI. Home Exercising 

"Bltie Cover " Series, each number 10c. 
No. 161 Ten Minutes' Exercise for 
No. 185 Hints on Health [Busy Men 
No. 325 Twenty-Minute Exercises 
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No. 7R. Physical Training Simplified 
No. 9R. How to Live 100 Years 
N0.23R. Get Well; Keep Well 
No. 33R. Tensing Exercises 
No. 51R. 285 Health Answers 
No. 54R. Medicine Ball Exercises. 
Indigestion Treated by Gymnastics, 
Physical Education and Hygiene 
No. 62R. The Care of the Body 
No. 64R. Muscle Building ; Health by 
Muscular Gymnastics 



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JOHN B. FOSTER. 

Editor Spalding's Official Base Ball Record and Spalding's Official 

Base Ball Guide. 

Secretary of the New York National League Base Ball Club. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 

Group I No. 202 



HOW TO PLAY 
BASE BALL 

NEW EDITION 

Originally compiled by the late T, H. Murnane 

REVISED BY 

JOHN B. FOSTER 

Editor Spalding's Official Base Ball Guide and 
Spalding's Official Base Ball Record 



PUBLISHED BY 

AMERICAN SPORTS PUBLISHING COMPANY 
45 Rose Street, New York 



J "2^ 






Copyright, 1919 

BY 

American Sports Publishing Company 
New York 



A525605 



INTRODUCTION 



In organizing base ball clubs and leagues, con- 
sider the following needs derived from practical 
experience : 

First. — Care in the selection of players. 

Second. — Individual and team training obtained, 
by hard practice. 

Third. — Harmony among contestants of individ- 
ual teams and good physical condition. 

Fourth. — A thorough study of opponents' 
methods. 

Fifth. — ^Learning all plays and developing new; 
ones. 

Sixth. — Trying to teach a keen sense as to whea 
to take a chance, and the right one. 

Seventh. — Inculcating perseverance and courage. 

Eighth. — Placing authority with sound leaders. 

Ninth. — Insisting upon invariable courtesy to 
opponents and officials. 

In selecting the different candidates for the posi- 
tions of a ball team, pick a catcher who is as ac- 
curate in throwing from any position as he can be ; 
a cool-headed man, who will note every move on 
the field, and one who will work well with his 
pitchers. It requires an intelligent man behind 
the bat, as the catcher is the one who must guide 
a great deal of the game. Right-hand throwers 



4 SPALDING S ATHLETIC LIBEAEY. 

are very essential and men who can stand hard 
work are preferred. 

For pitchers, select men who field the position 
well and have good control of the ball when pitch- 
ing. Pitchers come of all heights and weights. 
They must be excellent fielders as the game's de- 
velopment in the past fifteen years has made them 
essential infielders. 

Select a tall, rangy player for first base, a man 
with a natural gift for taking pickups ; a left-hand 
thrower is better than ordinary, as he is in posi- 
tion to throw to the other bases after picking up a 
grounder. 

A medium-cized, well-built player for second base 
is a good selection. 

For third base, a tall player with a good range 
and a strong arm, who can throw from any posi- 
tion, both overhand and underhand. 

For shortstop an agile man who can get over 
ground quickly. 

In the outfield good hitters and throwers; men 
who are fast runners preferred. 

Individual training should consist of batting 
practice, bunting toward third and first, with both 
right- and left-hand pitchers in the box, and place 
hitting. Each player should practice base-run- 
ning, and endeavor to evade being touched out 
when near a base. 

On running to first base on a long drive to the 
outfield each player should turn first base on the 
run, and return when it is evident the ball has 



been intercepted by the fielder. If fumbled, the 
runner should keep on to second. If the ball is 
thrown to first, move to second instead of trying 
to get back to first, as the ball will have to be 
handled perfectly to get the runner. 

For field practice, bat to the outfielders, both at 
short range and with long flies. Most outfielders 
practice too little on ground balls, waiting to have 
the ball come to them, when the proper play is to 
go in and meet the grounder, keeping the ball well 
in front. 

An aggressive team is more likely to win in Base 
Ball; hence the best batsmen step into the ball 
when pitched to them, while weak batsmen pull 
away f rora it. 

Development of team playing takes continual 
practice and a natural leader. Where batting is 
light, base-runners take long chances ; where the 
score is close they take long chances. When in the 
lead it pays to be conservative, but when making 
an uphill fight, opportunities should be pushed to 
the batting. Base-running, however, must be played 
more as a certainty. The catcher must be the 
judge of when the opposing base-runner may take 
a chance, and work with his pitcher. The pitcher 
must try to call the turn when a batsman intends 
to bunt to help the base-runner. The first base- 
man should know this as well in order to be ready 
to make a play to the other bases. The shortstop 
and second baseman should ''size up" the batsman 
and runner when out for the hit-and-run game 
and be careful not to leave an opening. 



5 Spalding's athletic library. 

Third base is the most difficult position on a ball 
field in many respects. One must run in for bunts 
and back for hard drives. The third baseman 
should take every grounder on which he can get his 
hands and must be equally sure with either hand. 
Wide grounders to his left must be picked up on 
the run with one hand. Bunts must be thrown 
with the same hand as picked them up. 

It is the duty of the captain and manager of a 
team to study the work of each opponent, and dis- 
cuss their observations with the other members of 
the team, mapping out a line of defense and also 
a line of attack. 

A bunting team can sometimes be stopped by 
bringing the third baseman forward, thereby 
forcing the batsman to hit out. In this case the 
shortstop should play well towards third, in a deep 
field, to get the hard drives that may pass a third 
baseman playing close in to stop bunting. 

The shortstop should make a point of covering 
third when the third baseman goes in for a ground 
ball. The second baseman should make a point of 
covering first base when the first baseman goes in 
for a slow grounder, as the pitcher will very often 
be unable to get to the base, although he should 
always try to do so. Covering first and third bases 
by the second baseman and shortstop have grown 
to be very important plays in the winning of games. 

No play requires any more expeditious action 
than throwing to second base by the third base- 
man when looking for a force-out and often a 



SPALDING S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. ' 

double play. Throw sharp, but with a medium 
speed, so the ball can be handled for a second 
throw. Kemarkable accuracy in this style of 
throwing has made famous third basemen extremely 
valuable to their teams. 

Outfielders may receive a sign from the pitcher 
as to how the ball is to be delivered to the bats- 
man. A strong outfield can make it very unpleas- 
ant for the heavy hitters. A small percentage of 
players are place hitters, that is, men who really 
know where the ball may go when they meet it. 

"Where one run may win a game, with a runner 
on second, it pays to bring the outfield in close, to 
make a possible out at the plate should the batsman 
hit a grounder to the outfield ; all balls thrown to 
the home plate from the outfield should go on a 
bound, so the catcher can block his man as well as 
handle the ball. 

Many games are won after two men are out in 
the ninth. Never quit until the last man is out, 
A team with a reputation for playing to the finish, 
will always worry its opponents, while a team 
looked on as '^quitters" will be beaten. When be- 
hind, keep working hard with the hope that luck 
will turn, and your opportunity come before the 
day is over. The winning ball player must be a 
man of courage and filled with the spirit of vic- 
tory, even after many defeats. 

There is not a team game known to man where 
luck plays as many pranks as in base ball. The 
fierce drive may go into the fielder's mitt, while 



8 Spalding's athletic libeaky. 

the scratch hit will drop safe just over the heads 
of the infielder. In base ball you can force your 
luck by taking long chances and making unlooked- 
for plays. Great ball players should never make a 
false move to win the most important game, and 
usually the great players are the cleanest kind of 
workmen. 

Nagging the umpire is a losing game, and the 
player who treats the official with the most con- 
sideration is sure to be thought of the most highly. 



Spalding's athletic libkary. 



THE ART OF PITCHING 



It is the ambition of almost all ball players to be 
able to pitch a curve ball, and few great players 
have passed up a chance to become regular pitchers 
of their teams. There is a fascination about de- 
livering a ball to a batsman, and working a bats- 
man is a fine art which is to be learned after 
obtaining command of curves. 

A pitcher who always covers first base when the 
ball is hit in that direction practically becomes a 
tenth man for his team, as he allows the first base- 
man to make running stops well to his right, and 
come in at full speed, knowing that the pitcher 
will cover the base for the throw. 

Two preliminary motions are necessary for a 
pitcher: The free, offhand swing, to loosen out 
and get freedom before sending the ball to the 
plate, when there is no one at first or second base, 
and the short, snappy move, made in delivering 
the ball, with men on the bases. 

The pitcher without a free, open action will soon 
tire and lose interest in his work, while the pitcher 
who can bring to bear the different parts of the 
body and go along with little effort will prove a 
stayer. 

Curve pitching was discovered and controlled 
for the first time on Jarvis Field, Cambridge, by 
Arthur Cummings, a Brooklyn amateur, in 1867, 



10 Spalding's athletic library. 

who proved that a ball sent spinning through the 
air would be finally turned from a direct course. 
Pitchers have discovered other curves and shoots. 
Perhaps no one man has mastered all the curves, 
and for this reason it is well to note what the dif- 
ferent pitchers have to say about their styles since 
becoming successful. 

Tim Keefe was famous years ago, when a mem- 
ber of the original New York Giants, with a pe- 
culiar slow ball that no pitcher has been able to 
get since. Keefe held the ball well back in the 
hand and controlled the ball with the heel of his 
thumb, not allowing the fingers to touch the ball. 
It seemed utterly impossible to control a ball 
in this manner, but Keefe did, and could hit a 
bullseye nine times out of ten. It was a slow ball 
with a drop curve and started with a fast prelim- 
inary motion. 

Bobby Mathews in 1872 was the first to intro- 
duce a perfect raise ball. The raise used by Mc- 
Bride about the same time was the result of send- 
ing the ball by an underhand throw from close 
to the ground. Mathews made the ball spin like a 
top and come to a stop before rising as it neared 
the batsman. 

The raise was introduced by Harry McCormick 
with the Syracuse Stars of 1876. About this time 
Nichols of the New Haven club was pitching a 
most tantalizing drop ball. Later Khines came 
along with the only upcurve ever pitched and sub- 
sequently McGinnity used a raise ball. Mathews, 



11 

Rhines and McGinnity are the only men ever 
known to get the proper effect on this style of de- 
livery. A fast ball with a jump was claimed by 
several pitchers, but worked by Charley Nichols 
while with Boston to better advantage than ever 
before. 

Charley Sweeney introduced the inshoot while 
with Providence in 1884. The drop curve has 
been effectively used by scores. 

The following advice by well-known pitchers is 
well worth considering: 

Mathewson: ''No pitcher with a good assort- 
ment of curves should be required to play in more 
than two games a week. A great amount of tissue 
is broken down in the arm that does the work dur- 
ing the course of a game, and it takes time to re- 
build iV 

Perritt: ''A pitcher should always keep on the 
lookout for a batter's weakness, for some fellows 
can kill one ball and are easy for another. The 
ones hardest to pitch to are those who hug the 
plate and chop at a ball instead of swinging. Bat- 
ters who stand back and swing hard are no trouble 
for a pitcher who keeps his eyes open to what is 
going on.'' 

Phillippe: "Learn the weaknesses of opposing 
batsmen and pitch accordingly. The successful 
pitcher knows exactly what the men who face him 
cannot hit, and either pitches those balls to them 
or else tempts them with the kind they like, but 



12 Spalding's athletic libraey. 

keeps the latter so far from the plate that they can- 
not hit them safely, if at all." 

Orth : ' ' I early recognized the fact that if I de- 
sired to remain in the game I would have to resort 
to something different from throwing curves all the 
time. I soon found out that if I had the ability to 
send the balls where I wanted to that I would 
make the needed progress in acquiring the art of 
effectiveness, and command therefore became my 
long suit from that time. *Aim to put them 
where you want to.' That is my advice to young 
pitchers. Study your batsman. Do not make the 
mistake of trying to fool batsmen who will not hit 
unless you put them over. You just waste your 
strength on such. These men are good waiters and 
will just play for a base on balls from a wild 
pitcher. ' ' 

Alexander: "The pitcher must have strength 
and endurance far beyond what is required of the 
other players. I think it a fair inference that the 
larger man is more likely to have the advantage 
in this respect. It is true there have been many 
notable lightweight pitchers, but how long did 
they last? Can the records of 'Bobby' Mathews 
or 'Brownie' Foreman be compared with that of 
'Cy' Young? As a matter of fact, Mathews, the 
most famous lightweight pitcher in the history of 
the game, stood only fifty feet from the plate, 
while the pitcher of to-day must send the ball sixty 
feet. I venture the assertion that if Mathews were 



Spalding's athletic libeaky. 13 

at his best to-day he would not last a week in any 
league." 

Mathewson: "For the 'fadeaway/ the ball is 
held very loosely at the tips of the fingers, the first 
two fingers being above the ball and the thumb 
below it. The arms are thrown high above the 
head, but when the pitching arm begins to start the 
ball on its way the arm is brought out from the 
side of the body and raised to an angle of about 
45 degrees. This motion is gone through so 
quickly, however, that it is practically impossible 
for the batsman to detect the fact that he is going 
to get something very different from a drop curve. 
In the drop curve the arm descends straight down 
in front, but in the fadeaway the motion of the 
arm from its position at an angle of 45 degrees is 
a small outward swing. When the arm gets in 
front of the pitcher, just about on the level with 
his chin, the hand is given a sharp twist inward, 
or to the left, which brings the back of the hand 
on top, and the loosely held ball, which is revol- 
ving from the rapid action of the arm, slips out 
sideways or off the second finger. At the same 
time there is a rotary motion given to the hand. 
"When the ball leaves the hand the arm is so twisted 
that the palm of the hand faces outward." 

Mathewson is the only pitcher who ever used 
the ''fadeaway" ball, and pitchers have tried in 
vain to master this curve for many years. 

This is how Mathewson pitched the drop curve 
ball. *'To deliver this ball the arms must be 




MAJHEWS0N;S " fadeaway --No. l shows how bail is r^rasped for start of 
the l-adeaway. . No. 2 shows the ball leaving the hand as it Lets the final twist of 
the viTist for the • Fadeaway.' No. 3 shows how the ball is held to pitch Matty's 
Blow ball For the Fadeaway 'the ball is held lightly with the forefingers and 
thumb, and a slow twist is given to it. When mixed in with a speedy straight or 
in-ball It causes the batter to often strike at it before it reaches him. It is a "teaser" 
tor the thud strike. 



Spalding's athletic library. 15 

thrown high above the head,'' he says. ''As the 
pitching arm rapidly descends straight forward 
the arm is turned slightly outward, and when the 
arm is horizontal the hand is turned slightly out- 
ward and the snap, a hard one, is given by the 
wrist, and the greater the snap the faster will be 
the curve. 

''In holding the ball the first two fingers are 
above it and the thumb below. The ball is held 
rather loosely. When the twist or snap of the wrist 
takes place at the moment of delivery the hand 
turns so that the thumb is on top of the ball and 
the first two fingers below it. A full arm swing is 
used. The body is bent far forward so that all 
the weight of the body is <behind the ball, and as 
the arm descends with a mighty swing the weight 
of the body is shifted from right foot to the left. 

"As can be well guessed, such a ball is a great 
strain on the muscles of the arm when delivered 
with all the power a pitcher possesses. Like all 
curves the ball can be used at varying speeds. 
When men are not on bases it is a fine ball to pitch 
if it is desired to make the batter send out a 
grounder that can be easily fielded. In fact, any 
curve can be used fast or slow with this purpose in 
view. 

"By not bringing the ball quite so high above 
the shoulder when starting to make the throw an 
outdrop can be attained. I seldom considered it 
necessary^ however, to try the outdrop." 



16 Spalding's athletic libeaey. 



CURVES. 



K 



\> 



Vertical Direction to Either Right or Left Hand Batter— The Drop, 



t 



Vertical Direction to Either Right or Left Hand Batter— The Raise, 



t " -■% 

Vertical Direction to Either Right or Left Hand Batter. 
Twisting as it dropped; never used successfully except by Machewson. 



AI 



Spalding's athletic libraey. ^'^ 



CURVES. 
Lateral Direction to Right Hand Batter-Outcurve. 



% 

Lateral Direction to Right Hand Batter-Incurve. 
So-called "incurve" is really a shoot. 



Lateral Direction to Left Hand Batter-Outcurve. 






h\ 

Lateral Direction to Left Hand Batter— Incurve. 
The "incurve" is usually more pronounced than to right hand batters. 



l1> 



The above diagrams and explanations are based on the curves as thrown by a 
right hand pitcher; with a left hand pitcher, the reverse will be the case. 



18 Spalding's athletic libkaey. 

Walsh : ' ' In using the spitball, wetting the ball 
where the two first fingers rest on it has the effect 
of making the ball leave the fingers first and the 
thumb last. You know, when you pick up a ball 
to throw it you usually grasp it firmly with the two 
first fingers and thumb. If the ball is dry it natu- 
rally leaves the thumb first and the fingers last. 
But when you wet the ball in one spot it has ai 
tendency to deflect the course, and the ball leaves 
the fingers first, passing over the thumb last. ' ' 

Rudolph says : * ' To pitch an outcurve, hold the 
ball tightly between the two first fingers and 
thumb, and swing the arm well out, snapping the 
wrist to make the ball spin as much as possible 
while turning the palm down." 

Brown : * ' The drop ball is the most trying one on 
the arm. I hold the ball between the two first fin- 
gers and thumb, and start the ball from as high a 
position as I can get, letting the ball slip off the 
index finger, while turning the palm of the hand 
down. By a double motion or snap of the elbow 
and wrist, I get the combination of drop and curve 
together." 

Dineen : ''A drop outcurve I found the most ef- 
fective ball against right-handed batsmen; I held 
the ball the same for every ball I pitched, but 
allowed the drop ball to leave from the top of the 
second finger after bringing the hand down from 
the highest position I could get in a long swing, 
and, by an extra move to effect the curve, got the 
drop curve, which I think is the most trying ball 



Spalding's athletic library. 19 

a pitcher can deliver. The drop, itself, is not so 
difficult, but the combination of drop curve re- 
quires a long reach and the gift of being- compe- 
tent to work all the curves and shoots.'* 

Cy Young: ''The jump ball can be produced 
only by great speed. The ball is thrown with a 
full arm swing right from the shoulder, and out 
from under the fingers, which are straightened 
out as the ball leaves for the bat. The idea is to 
get a jump on the ball just as it comes to the plate, 
nearly shoulder high." 

Chesbro: ''The spit ball is worked entirely by 
the thumb. Excepting the spit ball, every ball that 
goes from the pitcher leaves the fingers last. In 
throwing curves the fingers do the work. By wet- 
ting the ball it leaves the fingers first, and the 
thumb last, and the spit ball could be rightly called 
a thumb ball." 

Plank : "I study the batsman in every way ; his 
position in the box, his general attitude, the 
way he holds his bat and any other individual 
characteristic he may have. These help the ex- 
perienced pitcher to get a line on what may be the 
best ball to use. If he knows the batsman well, 
that may be of some use, but not necessarily so. 
A young pitcher entering a new league cannot 
know the batsmen like an old-timer, yet he must 
make good from the start to hold his position. He 
must depend entirely on what he can learn on the 
instant from the batters as they take their places 
in turn before him and the ability he has to make 



20 Spalding's athletic library. 

use of this information. A good catcher is a big 
help. He is right at the plate and can see the 
batsman better than the pitcher, and ought to 
know just what ball is likely to be most effective. 
I generally give my catcher the kind of ball he 
signs for, but use my own judgment as to how 
high or how near the batter to put it. I try to 
some extent to work corners — that is, to get the 
ball over, but keep away from the center of the 
plate — but when the batter is badly puzzled, or 
'faded,' as we say, it is almost perfectly safe to 
put it anywhere so it goes over. ' ' 



SPALDING S ATHLETIC LIBKAEY. 



THE CATCHING DEPARTMENT 



21 



Catchers should have a long reach and be quick 
and accurate throwers from any position in which 
they may happen to be when the ball is received. 

Without first-class catching no team has a good 
chance. A weak catcher makes base-stealing easy. 

Catchers should have signs with both first and 
third basemen and should snap the ball to those 
points when the runners are taking ground freely. 
Lou Criger, of the Boston Americans, was a fine 
catcher. He said: ''A catcher who cannot throw 
swiftly and accurately to the bases is of little use. 
He is called upon mostly to throw to second base, 
and it is on this point of the diamond that he 
should cultivate his eye for distance and force. 

' ' One of the most spectacular features of a game 
is the attempt of a base-runner to steal second. 

*'The catcher should have aji understanding 
with his pitcher on what to expect when a runner 
reaches first base. If the base-runner is known for 
his stealing propensities and is likely to run, the 
catcher should signal for a wide ball. There must 
be no preliminary motion in the catcher's move- 
ments in his act of getting the ball away. It 
should be one continuous action from the instant 
the ball leaves the pitcher's hand. The throwing 
arm goes back with the ball and is hurled to the 
base without delay. The throw should be low and 
close to the base so that the second baseman can 



22 



SPALDING S ATHLETIC LIBKARY. 



CATCHER SHOULD BACK UP FIRST BASEMAN ON 
LONG THROWS' FROM OUTFIELD. 




Dotted arrow lines indicate direction of ball. In the above 
diagram catcher is shown backing up a throw from the left 
fielder. On a throw from center field (as indicated by the 
shorter dotted arrow line) he would take up a position in line 
with the ball but not as far, of course, as was necessary when 
the ball was thrown from left field, as indicated above. 



Spalding's athletic libeary. 23 

put the ball on the runner with the least trouble. 
To get runners off third base and first base, the 
catcher should use a snap throw, in which the wrist 
develops its greatest power, as the play must be 
made with all the deception possible. It is a dan- 
gerous habit to throw to the bases indiscriminately 
and a habit that should be avoided. 

''Oftentimes a pitcher's effectiveness is due to 
the good support that he receives from his catcher, 
who can by his ease and poise behind the plate 
influence the temperament of his boxman. 

''A catcher should make the reception of the ball 
look easy and not fight it. 

''A catcher cannot be awkward and cover his 
position satisfactorily, as he has much to do in his 
territory which must be accomplished at quick 
notice. In going after foul flies back of the plate 
he must get the direction of the ball as if by intui- 
tion and turn instantly, ridding himself of his 
mask, and be ready to take the ball, in any posi- 
tion." 

A PLAY THAT OFTEN CONFUSES 

A play that sometimes arises in a game is the 
source of much trouble each season. Nine times out 
of ten the catcher is undecided as to what he should 
do. It relates to the failure to touch the home plate. 
Failure to touch first, second or third by a base- 
runner never makes a confusing play, because the 
infielder knows all that is necessary for him to do is 
to get the ball in his possesssion and then touch the 



24 Spalding's athletic libeart. 

base missed; also appeal to the umpire for a verdict. 
The last part is seldom necessary, because the um- 
pire, if he has seen the play, immediately calls the 
runner out the moment the infielder goes through 
with his part of it. 

In the game in question, with a runner on first 
and third, the double steal was attempted. The 
catcher threw the ball to second and the throw was 
cut off by the second baseman, who hurried it back 
to the plate, in order to get the runner scoring from 
third. The ball was handled perfectly, and it was 
apparent that the runner would be an easy out, un- 
less the unexpected happened. The odds were about 
ten to one against him as he started his run for the 
plate. The catcher at that time had the ball waiting 
for him. This was all very evident to him, so he slid 
wide of the plate, hoping that he might possibly miss 
being touched by the catcher, and then be able to 
touch the plate before the catcher could turn and 
get him. 

Part of the play worked as the runner had hoped 
it would. The catcher failed to touch him as he slid 
wide of the plate. The catcher, however, didn't give 
the runner a chance to touch the plate, because he 
quickly wheeled around and made it impossible. The 
nmner regained his feet, and stood still about three 
or four feet away from the plate. The catcher stepped 
out to touch him, and as he did so the runner started 
toward his bench. The catcher followed him perhaps 
a half dozen steps. In the meantime the umpire had 



25 

called the runner out, but the catcher was taking no 
chances; he continued to pursue the runner. 

The runner on first had, of course, reached second 
in safety. Noticing that the catcher was chasing the 
other runner around the field, he decided to make 
a try for third. The yells of his team mates finally 
reached the ears of the catcher, who stopped the chase 
before he had touched the runner, and made a hur- 
ried throw to third to get the runner coming up 
from second. He failed to do so. The moment the 
catcher threw the ball, the runner originally on third 
ran back and touched the plate. The team at bat 
claimed a run, but, of course, the umpire refused 
to allow it, stating that he had called the runner out 
the moment he started for the bench to avoid being 
touched. 

If a runner who fails to touch the plate continues 
on his way to his bench, there is no reason in the 
world why the catcher should be forced to touch 
him with the ball to complete the out. All he need 
do is touch the plate, as he would any other base. 
The fact that the home plate is the final goal of the 
runner is perhaps what causes confusion. If a player 
slides past the plate without touching it, he has a 
perfect right to try to touch the plate before the 
catcher touches him with the ball, if he can do so. He 
has the same right at the plate as any other base, but 
if he fails to do so, and then continues on his way 
to the bench, the mere touching of the plate by the 
catcher with the ball in his possession is all that is 
necessary. 



26 



SPALDING S ATHLETIC LIBBARY. 



SECOND BASEMAN'S PLAY ON BUNT TOWARD 
FIRST BASE. 



y^- 



II 



Second baseman (original position indicated by dotted 
figure) runs over and covers first base if first baseman 
fields ball. This gives pitcher a chance to guard toward 
third. 



Spalding's athletic libkary. ^'?' 



THE INFIELD OF A BALL TEAM 



A tall, active man is often selected for first base. 
Many medium-sized players play a clever first base. 
A man six feet in height has an advantage if his 
reach is good. 

On ground balls the smaller man is better, and 
for second base a player may be under five feet 
ten, about five feet seven being the ideal height 
for a second baseman. 

The shortstop also may be a medium-sized 
player, not over five feet ten, while the third base- 
man should be tall. The running plays at short 
and second base require great speed in action and 
a small man has a chance to change positions 
easier while under full speed, although Lajoie and 
Wagner, two phenomenal players, were exceptions 
to the rule. 

The first baseman must be able to field a ball 
well and must play the ball on the run. He should 
run in for every slow ball that goes to the left of 
the pitcher, while the pitcher covers first base. 
The first baseman has a better chance to handle 
the ball as he is coming in, while the pitcher would 
be handicapped by trying to take the ball as he is 
bent down and running. The first baseman should 
go to his right for every ball that he can handle. 
In all such cases the pitcher or second baseman 



28 Spalding's athletic library. 

should cover first base and the shortstop go to sec- 
ond base. 

The catching of a thrown ball is about the 
simplest work a first baseman has to perform these 
days. 

Short, snappy underhand throwing is the proper 
thing for a player covering first base, and con- 
stant throwing of the ball after a catch will im- 
prove the speed of a player's work when the time 
comes for real action. 

A second baseman should be able to throw both 
overhand and underhand as well as toss the ball 
both forward and backhand, especially to second 
base, on a force play ; in fact, many plays are made 
by scooping the ball on the dead run and landing it 
in the proper place. 

Shortstop is in a measure second base over 
again, as the shortstop must take throws and often 
play well into the third baseman's territory for 
left-handed hitters and in deep field for place hit- 
ters, so that the shortstop and second baseman 
must work together like a machine. 

The third baseman should play on the baseline 
for all batsmen, keeping an eye out for the hunter 
and must guess the play as the batsman gets ready 
to meet the ball. He must field nine-tenths of the 
bunt hits on the run with one hand, and throw 
accurately to first. A third baseman should go for 
the ground balls hit to his left, regardless of the 
shortstop, playing the wide ones mostly with the 
left hand and changing for the throw to first. 



SPALDING S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 



29 



Throwing to second for a force-out requires 
quick thought and accuracy, as the ball must be 
given to the man covering the bag in such a way 
that he can swing and shoot it to first for a double 
play. It is not necessary to throw hard, but the 
ball should be on the way the instant it is picked 
up, with the knowledge that the base will be cov- 
ered for the play. 

With a man at second figuring on a steal of 
third the shortstop should play rather close to the 
base and hold his man. This he must also do with 
a third baseman looking for a bunt. A slow man 
at second will handicap the man who is trying to 
sacrifice, as the second baseman will hold his man 
close to the bag, with the idea of having the ball 
fielded to third base for a force-out. "With a clever 
catcher the basemen can often get men off the bases 
at important stages of the game. 

Judgment should be exercised in playing close 
for the man at the plate. It often pays to let one 
man go and cut off what might develop into a 
bunch of runs for your opponent. For example, 
with the score 2 to and the game well over it 
would be the proper play to let the run score and 
play for the batsman. There are times, too, when 
a double play would be the thing, and with a slow 
runner at the bat it would be a fair chance to 
take. 

The following advice by well-known profes- 
sionals is well worth repeating:: 



30 Spalding's athletic library. 



DEFENSE AGAINST BUNTING. 



Showing approximate positions of infield jjlayers when a 
bunt is expected and runners on first and second bases. 



Spalding's athletic library. 31 

Herzog: "Except pitcher and catcher, no 
player -on the field handles the ball so often in a 
game as the second baseman. In only ^ small pro- 
portion of the number of times he gets the ball are 
there opportunities for making a put-out or an 
assist, but there is always a chance to make a costly 
error. He must, therefore, never relax his vigi- 
lance or lose his grip of the situation. He must 
work in perfect harmony with the other men in the 
infield, and especially with the shortstop. To do 
this, he must make an intelligent study of his fel- 
low players and be thoroughly familiar with their 
capabilities and their peculiarities. "When a fast 
play is started there is no time for explanations 
either by word or sign, and every man who takes 
part in it must know as well what the others will 
do as what he will do himself, and be governed ac- 
cordingly. The number of possible plays on the 
ball field is not extraordinarily large, but the num- 
ber of ways of making them is almost infinite. 

"It follows, then, that the second baseman must 
at least be as fast on his feet and as quick a player 
as any other player. Besides having a knowledge 
of his fellow players, he must be acquainted with 
his opponents so as to resort to the style of play 
most successful against them. Tricks which will 
work against one team fall flat when tried on 
another, and the way in which any play should be 
made must be decided by the circumstances of the 
moment. 



32 SPALDING^S ATHLETIC LIBKAEY. 



DEFENSE AGAINST BUNTING. 



Showing approximate positions of infield players when a 
bunt is expected and runner on first base only. 



Spalding's athletic library. 33 

*' Suppose, for example, there is a man on third 
and the ball is hit to me, but in such a way that 
I am obliged to run for it, either forward or side- 
ways. If two men are not out, I should try, the 
ball being a ground hit, to catch the man at the 
plate, if there is a possible chance. Suppose, also, 
that the man who hit the ball is very fast, I mu^t 
watch the ball, so as to be sure to get it, and, as 
I cannot watch the runners too, must make up my 
mind before I get it where I will throw it. To do 
the right thing, I must know how fast the runner 
at third is and how much of a lead he had when 
the ball was hit. I must consider how long it will 
take to get the ball to the catcher and how skillful 
the latter is in blocking off base-runners in a pinch. 
The standing of the score by the time must be 
weighed. If the scoring of a run by the opposition 
insures their winning the game, the play at the 
plate is the only one worth trying, whether there 
appears to be a chance of success or not. But if 
the game is young and I was sure the man at third 
would score, I would not hesitate to make sure of 
the man at first. The shortstop must back up third 
base as the second baseman backs up first, play 
short left and middle field, and sometimes go out 
into foul ground for flies that neither the third 
baseman nor the left fielder can get under. He 
must guard second base when that duty falls to 
him, help the pitcher to keep base-runners hugging 
the sack and watch the returns of the ball from 
the catcher to the pitcher. He must make the same 



34 Spalding's athletic library. 

close study of opposing batsmen and the base-run- 
ners that other players must make, and be ^ided 
by what he can learn. He cannot pick out a level 
spot and stand there all afternoon expecting the 
ball to come to him. Like the business man who 
wants trade, he must get out after it and change 
his position for every man who comes to bat. 

'* While there is nothing certain about anything 
in Base Ball, random infield work is as bad as ran- 
dom pitching. The infielder should never make a 
move that does not mean something and represent 
a definite end. He should adopt the course dic- 
tated by his best judgment and then follow it out 
until there is a reason for making a change. He 
will not always be successful, but he must not be 
discouraged if the unexpected happens. 

*'One of the problems for the third baseman is 
the batter who can both lay the ball down and line 
it out. If he plays back too far the batter will 
invariably bunt. If he gets too far in, he is likely 
to have to face a hard drive, which will sorely test 
his courage first, and probably his endurance after- 
ward. In the course of a season every third base- 
man makes a number of fine stops which would not 
have been made if he could have gotten his body 
out of the way in time. The best plan to pursue 
in such cases, in my opinion, is to take a middle 
course. Keep back close to the line running from 
second to third and six or eight feet from the foul 
line, the latter depending to some extent both on 
the batter and the pitcher. Then, every time the 



SPALDING S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 



35 



pitcher delivers the ball, get on your tiptoes and 
be prepared to move instantly in any direction. 
Keep your eye on the batter, and if he is going to 
bunt you can discover his intention in time to be 
half way in to the plate, if you are fast on your 
feet, before the ball leaves his bat. If, on the other 
hand, you see he is about to swing hard on the ball, 
you can summon your powers of resisting the shock 
of a speedy drive. 

''AJl this sounds, perhaps, as if third base were 
the only position in the field and that all balls are 
knocked to the third baseman. That is exactly my 
idea of how every player should feel during the 
game. He should always be expecting the ball to 
hit him, always be ready to receive it, and always 
have his mind made up as to what he will do with 
it when it does come. 

** Besides the foregoing^ the third baseman must 
be able to line the ball across the field swiftly and 
accurately. With the fast men of to-day 'arching' 
the ball over won't do. It must go on a line, and 
no time can be wasted in starting it. Like the first 
baseman, the third baseman has a large number of 
foul flies to look after, and to get them, as he 
should, fleetness of foot is indispensable. He must 
also know what to do with the ball after it is 
caught, and not let base-runners take advantage of 
such plays to advance. He should back up other 
positions whenever possible and never overlook an 
opportunity to do anything that will benefit his 
team. 



36 Spalding's athletic library. 

''Two faults many young infielders (and some 
old ones, too) have are trying to throw the hall he- 
fore they get it and losing their heads after mak- 
ing an error. The first is due to nervousness or 
over-anxiety, and requires constant effort and per- 
haps some coaching to overcome. Whatever effort 
is needed, this must he done, for nothing so inter- 
feres with heady, successful work as nervousness. 
As to errors, they are inseparable from infield 
work. If the field were a floor, the bound of. every 
ground ball could be determined exactly and the 
play be m.le with machine-like precision. As it 
is, a pebble, a tuft of grass or an inequality in the 
ground deflects the ball just when you are set for 
it, and it comes just where you were not expect- 
ing it and don't want it. You do your best to get 
it and often succeed, only to make a bad throw, 
because you are thrown out of position by the ex- 
tra effort and the time is too short to take a brace 
before throwing. At other times you either miss 
the ball altogether or are unable to move your hand 
fast enough to do more than knock it down, and, 
as a result, get an error for what appeared to all 
but yourself an easy chance. The infielder must 
never let such things affect him. He must forget 
them as soon as they are past and go on as if noth- 
ing had happened. Go after everything, no mat- 
ter how impossible it seems to you as well as every- 
body else. Once in a while it will take a lucky 
bound into your hand, and if you don't let your 
surprise prevent you from taking advantage of jthe 



Spalding's athletic library. 37 

circumstances, you will probably be hailed as 'the 
greatest ever ' — until you make your next error. 

"Neither the manager nor the captain can win 
unless they have the co-operation of the players. 
To be successful the captain's efforts must at all 
times be reinforced and backed up by a good bunch 
of hustlers. He must infuse into his men, if they 
do not have it naturally, enthusiasm for their work 
and a do-or-die spirit. Lots of good players are 
naturally very quiet. They know what to do them- 
selves, but cannot direct others not so well posted. 
Such men must be encouraged and advantage 
taken of their special abilities. The captain must 
welcome their aid and show that he appreciates it. ' * 



38 



Spalding's athletic libeaey. 

PLAYING THE OUTFIELD. 




M 




^nrrigll^l^e^^^^^^ *^^. "'"^^ ^^^^^^^^^ ^' 1^«, center 

Where otitfielr^^^^^^^ ^'^^ ^^ ^^^^^^^ ^^^^^s indicates 

to catch a rnnLT i"^ TJ^' approximately, when playing 

threatened ^^^^^ "^^"^ ^^^ «"<^ ^^<i tie scori 



Spalding's athletic libkary. 39 



PLAYING THE OUTFIELD 



No weak batsman should be worked in the out- 
field if it can be avoided. 

Fielders should work with signs and know just 
what the pitcher is to give the batsman, as this 
will enable them to be on the move in the right 
direction and often make catches that seem impos- 
sible when the ball is hit. Outfielders should never 
hold the ball a second, but send it to the infield 
at once and give no chance to the base-runner to 
take advantage of slow work. 

Outfielders should practice taking the ball in a 
position to throw, and learn how to turn after 
taking a ball after a long run. 

Outfielders should study the different batsmen 
closely. They should pay no attention to the other 
players, who should simply back up the man who 
first called out. 

The center fielder must be ready to back up sec- 
ond base whenever possible, and the right fielder 
must be ready to back up first base every time a 
throw is made to that sack from any of the in- 
fielders or from the catcher. The left fielder must 
watch third base. 

There is a great chance for the young man who 
is a quick thrower to make a reputation for him- 
self in right field. Many opportunities come to 
the right fielder to make unusual throws. Many a 



40 Spalding's athletic libkaby. 

fast base-runner has been thrown out at first base 
on what seemed a base-hit to right field. 

That was accomplished because the right fielder 
was alert and ready to dash in to meet the ground 
ball as close to the base lines as possible. 

The right fielder, like the center fielder and the 
left fielder, should be an excellent judge of all bat- 
ters. After seeing a man bat several times he 
should know whether he is likely to hit in his direc- 
tion. 

The center fielder and the right fielder should 
have a signal fixed with the second baseman so that 
individual may be able to tell which one of the 
players is to take a fly that falls between them. 
Collisions may thus be avoided. 

When the second baseman calls out the name of 
the outfielder who is to take the fly the other should 
stop on the instant. 

The outfielder should never go into a game 
without practicing in his position. This is so he 
may become familiar with the grounds and with 
the direction and velocity of the wind. The wind 
is an important factor in all outfield playing. Un- 
less the outfielder knows how it is blowing he is 
likely to be fooled badly the first time some batter 
knocks a fly toward him. 

Quick starting has much to do with success in 
getting to the ball. In order to be able to start 
quickly the outfielder must have a judgment so 
keen that it will tell him almost the square inch 
where the ball will fall. 



Spalding's athletic libkaey. 41 



THE FINE ART OF BATTING 



Batting is the one department of base ball where 
a boy or man must have natural talent to make 
good. The old saying that "batsmen are born and 
not made" is very nearly correct, although any 
player can improve by faithful practice and intel- 
ligent thought. 

Each player will have his own style at the plate, 
finding it easy to fall into some style unconsciously. 
He should be allowed to continue in this style un- 
less there should be a semblance of pulling away 
from the plate. 

It is a rare thing nowadays to see any man, ex- 
cept possibly the battery players, draw away from 
the plate. Once a pitcher notes this weakness, he 
will soon end the batter's personal usefulness. 

The preliminary swing of the pitcher is often 
likely to bother the timid batsman, for he will lose 
track of the ball. The batsman should pay little 
attention to the pitcher until about the last move 
before sending the ball to the plate, when, being 
alert and in a natural position, he can follow the 
course of the ball. 

All players can bat to better advantage while 
gripping the bat short. 

All pitchers try to get a line on the batsman by 
noting their footwork and general attitude at the 
plate. 




TYRUS R, COBB, 

Detroit. 

Leading Batsman, American League, 1918. 



Conlon. Photo. 



Spalding's athletic libeary. 43 

Lajoie says: ''Know your pitchers and keep 
close tab on the position of the fielders. Give the 
runner on first base his signal for a steal, and then 
aim to hit the ball through the shortstop 's or sec- 
ond baseman 's position, according as the one or the 
other left it open to cover the bag and catch the 
runner. 

"For that very reason I rarely or never seek 
to run forward past the plate and meet the ball 
before the curve breaks. By playing as far back 
of the plate as possible I get that much more time 
to be sure which infielder is going to cover second 
base. 

"Being able to place the ball in the various out- 
fields helps a whole lot, for the fielders then are 
puzzled where to lay for you. ' ' 

Beaumont was deemed one of the most scientific 
batsmen in the profession. Kead what he said 
about getting out of form : 

* ' Good batters are often asked why it is that thej^- 
occasionally have slumps during which they go for 
days without hitting safely. All of them meet with 
this experience at times. In my own case, which 
I suppose is largely the same with other players, 
the trouble comes from what we call getting out 
of stride. In hitting the ball, all good batters take 
a step forward. This step is called the stride. My 
stride is about eighteen inches. Suppose I uncon- 
sciously increase this stride to two feet. This looks 
like a small matter, but in reality the additional 
six inches causes me to lower my, bat a trifle, with 



44 



SPALDING S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 



SPEEDY AND SLOW DELIVERIES. 
How Batters Should Play for Either. 




Speed. 
Stepping Forward. 




Slow. 

'Crowding" line and stepping into curve, 

if one is pitched. 



Spalding's athletic libeaey. 45 

the result that I hit under the center of the ball, 
which sends it up in the air instead of out on a 
line as I intend. The eye has nothing to do with 
this. It is simply a habit which comes on the 
player before he is aware that he has contracted it. 
The remedy lies not in trying to accustom yourself 
to the new stride, for that you probably could 
never do successfully, but in getting back your old 
step. Constant practice is the only means of doing 
this, and it has sometimes taken me three weeks to 
overcome the trouble." 

Some good batsmen never take any preliminary 
swing, depending wholly on footwork, while a num- 
ber of batsmen take the bat at the extreme end 
and take a long swing, usually cutting a triangle 
before swinging for the coming-in ball. Nothing 
is more graceful, but the timing of the swing must 
be absolutely perfect to win, and a clever pitcher 
will be quick to see his advantage. 

Don't be afraid of the pitcher. It is easy to 
avoid being hit by a fast one and slow ones never 
injure. 

McGraw to the young player: ''Don't get in the 
habit of planting your feet on the ground and not 
moving them until you have swung at the ball. Get 
a stride and advance a little toward the ball as you 
hit. Do not step too far and accustom your eyes 
and hands to the change such a step makes. Learn 
to hit squarely every ball that passes over any part 
of the plate between the knee and shoulder, and 
devote the most practice to what you are weakest 



46 Spalding's athletic libkaey. 



GRIPPING THE BAT. 




C- Lin^ ) 



Keeler style — Almost at center (Keeler was a left hand batter). 

Grasping the bat so far down the handle is technically known 

as "choking" the bat. 



QfjB -J 

Lajoie style — Hands at extreme end. 



(r=rW=i~' ) 



McGraw style — Hands short distance from ends. 



Burkett style — Space between hands (Bnrkett was a left hand 
batter). 



Spalding's athletic library. 47 

on. Learn to think and act quickly and to keep 
your head at all times. In a contest, do not always 
do the same thing under the same circumstances. 
Give your opponent a surprise whenever possible.'' 

Always go to the plate to meet the ball in the 
center, no matter who the pitcher may be, for all 
can be found, as they must get the ball over that 
one piece of rubber. 

When facing a pitcher who depends mainly on 
speed, stand at the back of the batter's box, so as 
to have the advantage of the additional distance, 
particularly if it is desired to hit toward third 
base. But if the same pitcher has a good drop ball, 
stand at the front of the box, so as to be able to 
catch the ball before the break. 



48 



SPALDING S ATHLETIC LIBKAEY. 



SLIDING TO BASE. 
The Hook. 




In sliding, the body is flung outside of base line and 
back of second, one foot only touching the bag — "hook- 
ing" it — thus offering as little surface as possible for 
the baseman to touch the runner. 



SPALDING^S ATHLETIC LIBKAKY. 49 



THE ART OF BASE-RUNNING 



Headwork counts just as much as fleetness of 
foot after a player reaches first base, and nothing 
will bother a pitcher any more than to know a 
clever man is ever ready to start a break for an 
extra base. It bothers the pitcher much more than 
the man at bat, and for this reason pitchers usually 
pitch their poorest games against a team of fine 
base-runners. 

Once a player reaches first base it should be his 
aim to keep the pitcher and catcher guessing as 
to what move he intends to make. Taking a lead 
off first should be the study of every ball player, 
and no man can expect to bother the pitcher or 
ever steal a base if he has failed to improve his 
many opportunities to take the proper lead off the 
bases, for this means everything, as a good start 
means success in making a play in the field. Every 
player should be taught the fundamental princi- 
ples of base-running, including sliding to bases, as 
well as getting to the base from a distance of 
several feet. 

Players should practice starts from early spring 
and at other times when the opportunity affords. 
There is no danger of being caught off the bases 
while the pitcher stands with the ball in his left 
hand when he pitches with his right. A running 
lead and quick return under these conditions will 



50 SPALDING^S ATHLETIC LIBEARY. 

bother the fielding team and in the general mixup 
the runner is more apt to get the proper lead for 
second. Even if the runner never intends to steal, 
he may keep his opponents' attention off the man 
at bat, to the advantage of the latter. 

Taking two bases on a ground hit to right or to 
center field can be accomplished three out of four 
times if the runner is on the alert against the out- 
fielders. 

When running the bases the player must observe 
the next baseman as to the way he stands, and 
which way he may turn. There is a way of twist- 
ing the body when going into the bag that brings 
the runner in feet first. Many times the ball is 
there as soon as the runner, but when the baseman 
is ready to tag the runner, that body twist will 
get the latter out of danger. 

Let a good base-runner get to first base at a 
critical juncture, and if the previous proceedings 
have been dull and lifeless, action is at once in- 
stilled into the game. The pitcher becomes anx- 
ious. A good base-runner will bother him and 
handicap him in his work. The pitcher will often 
work harder for the man on the base than he will 
for the batter, giving the latter a big advantage. 
The catcher knows the slightest slip he may make 
will be taken advantage of, and the infielders know 
that they will have to work fast and sure to stop 
the runner, and at the same time be prepared to 
handle infield hits. 



Spalding's athletic library. 51 

All this excites the spectators to a high pitch of 
enthusiasm and causes them to watch every play 
with strict attention. The spectacular features of 
base-running always have been recognized. 

Men like those famous old-timers, Stovey, Welsh, 
Ewing, Latham, Ward, Fogarty and Kelly, never 
knew what it was to stand anchored on the initial 
bag and wait for a bunt or a hit-and-run signal. 
For them there was a moment's jockeying along 
the line, a sharp skirmish of wits and quickness 
with the pitcher and first baseman, and then a 
streak of light going down to second, a slide, a 
cloud of dust, and a frantic yell from the delighted 
crowd. 

''The big mitt stopped the runners," asserts a 
former well-known big league catcher. How? 
Get a glove of the type used by catchers up to 
1889, get a modern padded mitten, have some'Body 
throw a ball and it will all dawn upon you in a 
second. When the old pitchers, throwing from 
short distance and yet hurling them across with all 
their steam, sent them into the thin-palmed, finger- 
tipped glove of those days, the catcher always and 
instinctively drew back his hands as the bullet 
struck into the frail protection. Suppose a base- 
runner was under way, the catcher disengaged the 
ball from the glove and shot it down as fast as he 
knew how. After the big mitt was permitted, the 
whole method of taking the pitch changed. 

''The catcher soon found that he could take the 
full shock of the fastest delivery in the great paw 



52 Spalding's athletic libeaky. 

aud did not have to draw back his hands. What 
did this mean to the base-runner and to the catch- 
er 's chance of trapping him ! Only this — that the 
catcher, able to get the ball out of the big glove 
and ready for the throw in speedier time than 
when he wore the little glove, had just that much 
margin on the runner. And bases are made or lost 
by fractions of a second. ' ' 

The player on second should give the runner on 
first the sign that he intends to steal. This will 
enable the man on first to prepare for a double 
steal. It is practically impossible to make a double 
play in this case* 

With one man out it is sometimes good policy to 
take chances in stealing third base, though, as it 
has already been pointed out, before attempting to 
steal, the player should be certain of a good start. 
If successful, he could then score on a long fly to 
the outfield. 

In a close game, where hitting is light, a player 
should take more than ordinary chances on the 
bases. A wild throw or a dropped ball by a base- 
man will give the runner the opportunity he may 
be watching for. 

There is nothing that will discourage one team 
and please another more than dumb base-running. 
It is far better to hold the base until batted around 
than to run the bases without judgment. 

As an example of this is a play that took place 
in one of the games for the world's championship 
at Chicago in 1906. A White Sox runner was on 



SPALDING S ATHLETIC LIBRAEY. 



53 



third base, with one out, when the batter drove a 
fierce liner to deep right center, of which the out- 
fielder made a clever catch and threw home in time 
to get the runner at the plate. Thinking the ball 
was hit safely, the runner had started for home. 
Seeing that the ball was caught, he returned to 
third, touched the base, and again started for 
home, to be disposed of. When he saw the ball 
hit to the outfield he should have returned with 
all haste to the base and been ready to start for 
home the instant the ball hit the fielder's hands. 
Had the ball been safe it was an easy matter to 
come in. If the ball was muffed it was also an 
easy matter. While if the ball was caught he could 
have beaten the throw home. Therefore, by dumb 
base-running, he lost one run and displayed the 
poorest kind of base ball. 

There never was a good excuse offered for run- 
ning another base-runner down. The base-run- 
ner must keep his eyes open, and look ahead. Some 
ordinary runners become expert base-runners by 
using good judgment, while some of the finest 
sprinters, lacking the temperament, fall easy prey 
to their opponents, especially to clever catchers, 
and are noted for their dumb work on the base 
paths. 



54 



SPALDING S ATHLETIC LIBRAEY. 
THE DELAYED STEAL. 



f^S 




The base-runner, who had taken a good lead off first base 
(his original position is indicated by the lighter figure), 
started with the return of the ball by the catcher to the 
pitcher and caught both shortstop and second baseman nap- 
ping. As will be seen, the shortstop finally covered second 
on the relayed throw by the pitcher, but too late to tag the 
runner, who managed to make the base with the aid of the 
hook slide. With a runner on base, the catcher should 
always make a quick return of the ball to the pitcher. 



Spalding's athletic libkary. 55 



THE DELAYED STEAL 



The delayed steal is used by good runners. Ever 
on the alert, the runner takes the limit of ground 
off first. A throw to first starts him off for sec- 
ond, where he beats the throw five times out of six. 
Again, the runner will hold his ground until the 
catcher has started the ball back to the pitcher, 
when he darts for second. As the second baseman 
and shortstop play wide and deep, it is a race for 
the base, with the pitcher hesitating as to who will 
take the ball, with the chances all in favor of the 
runner landing safely. This play is also tried — 
and successfully — with a man on third, the run- 
ner making home as the ball is thrown to second 
base. The delay in starting is sure to throw off 
the men who are picked to take the ball and while 
the basemen size up the situation the base-run- 
ners make ground on either or both ends of the 
play. 



56 



SPALDING S ATHLETIC LIBRAEY. 



THE SQUEEZE PLAT. 



Runner must start as ball is bunted — on a previously 
arranged signal, of course — otherwise play is almost impos- 
sible. The theory of play is — with one out — to tie the score. 
Dotted line shows the irregular course of the ball as it 
bounds along the ground ; runner, who has taken as good a 
lead as a clever pitcher and a watchful third baseman had 
permitted, is shown making an effort to score. 



Spalding's athletic library. 57 



THE SQUEEZE PLAY 



This is a play which is very questionable as to 
efficiency. 

The play is tried only with one out and a man 
at third base. The base-runner starts for home 
with the first preliminary swing of the pitcher's 
arm and tries for the plate, just as if making a 
steal. The batsman is supposed to meet the ball 
without any attempt for a hard drive, simply keep- 
ing the ball on the ground. If the ball is placed 
anywhere in fair territory there is little chance to 
get the runner going home ; in fact, runners often 
score when the ball is pitched too wide for the bats- 
man to meet it. Then the catcher is apt to drop 
the ball in his hurry. The play is seldom at- 
tempted unless the batsman is a good hunter. 
Then, too, it is not a good thing to try the play 
when the pitcher is laying for you, as he will keep 
the ball high and close to the batsman and nip the 
man coming home. 

In close-score games the play is sometimes con-, 
sidered. 



58 bPALDING's ATHLETIC LIBRAEY. 



THE ART OF THROWING 

A left-hand thrower is handicapped for most of 
the infield and should not attempt to play outside 
first base and the outfield. 

There was a time not long ago when overhand 
throwing was considered the proper style to culti- 
vate. Now a player must be fit to throw under- 
hand, and even toss the ball backhand, as well as 
to scoop the ball when there is no time for getting 
into a position to make a throw. 

When making a proper throw the hand should 
follow the ball. Snap throwing is a rare accom- 
plishment and must be cultivated, while shoulder 
throwing is a big handicap to a ball player, as he 
is sure to lose time. The wrist, elbow and shoul- 
der can all be used in making the ideal throw. The 
wrist and elbow properly developed will produce 
the best getaway throw, and should be practiced, 
particularly by outfielders. 

Left-hand throwing outfielders are impossibilities 
when forced to use the shoulder to get the ball 
away. It is a case of "winding up," to see the 
base-runners beating the throw nine out of ten 
times. 

In the outfield the players should practice con- 
tinually to get the ball away, allowing the infield- 
ers to make plays from shorter distances. 



Spalding's athletic libkaky. 59 

A clever man will swing into position to receive 
a ball before making a hard throw. No man can 
throw hard and accurately without taking a step 
forward before letting the ball go. One of the 
finest throwers in base ball was a young player 
with a lame shoulder who developed a wrist throw 
that was marvelous for speed and accuracy. 

Edward Crane, the greatest thrower for long 
distance the game has produced, never used his 
shoulder, when making a throw. In fact, the long 
distance throwers have never been what is known 
&s shoulder throwers. About the only fine throw- 
ing catchers who used the shoulder have been 
Charley Bennett and Lou Criger, while the great 
catchers, Kling, Kelly, Ewing, Snyder, Sullivan, 
Clapp, Bergen and other good ones, were wrist 
throwers and hurried the ball away like a flash. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRABT. 



THE USE OF SIGNALS 

It would be impossible to play up-to-date base 
ball without a variety of signals, well understood 
by each, member of the team. 

It was only a few years ago when the battery 
alone used signals; now every man on the team 
should know the style of ball the pitcher is about 
to deliver, and whether it will go close to the bats- 
man or a little wide of the player. The fielders 
will then have a chance to be on the move in the 
right direction nine times out of ten — a winning 
percentage. Charley Snyder was one of the cleverest 
catchers the game has produced, when it came to 
signal work. He never allowed his pitcher to look 
towards a base, unless when throwing the ball. 
Snyder would give the signal to the pitcher in posi- 
tion to deliver the ball, but never until he had 
sized up the base-runner and had him working 
back to a base. Pitchers are apt to give too much 
attention to the base-runner and weaken their 
chances to get the man at bat. Snyder avoided this 
condition, and had his pitchers always in a posi- 
tion to let the baU go the instant that he gave the 
signal. 

In throwing to first and third, to get a man nap- 
ping, Snyder would' give the signal one ball before 
he was to take the chance, giving time for all to be 
on the alert to back up. 



SPALDING^S ATHLETIC LIBRAKY. 61 

The game has grown so full of moves that a 
clever man handling a team from the bench will 
be kept very busy, and must know the signals as 
well as the players. Managers should not labor un- 
der the impression that signals will avail if the ball 
plaj^ers are absent. It takes clever men to work 
with the slight moves, and suggestions necessary 
for team work, for open signal work is very easily 
detected by your opponent, who will instantly turn 
his knowledge to his own advantage. 

Signals, however, are positively necessary for a 
team's success in up-to-date base ball when team 
work is called for. 

Signals cannot very well be made up according to 
a standard code. The ingenuity of the players must 
decide upon what is to be the sign of instruction. A 
wiggle of the finger, closing of the hand — concealed 
from the coachers of the opposite side by the catcher's 
mitt when the latter is giving his signal — a turn of 
the head, an apparent word of encouragement, all 
may have their hidden meaning. It is also well to 
change signals — or at least have a "cross'' set ready 
in case of emergency, should the rival team succeed 
in interpreting the code. Some players have remark- 
able ability in putting two and two together, and the 
rest is easy. 

A very instructive chapter on Signals will be found 
in Spalding's Athletic Library No. 229— "How to 
Catch." 



SHORT TALKS ON A VARIETY OF 
BASE BALL TOPICS 



BASE BALL GROUNDS 

There is nothing more pleasing to the eye of a 
ball player than a fine ball park, with a level sur- 
face well kept. 

Skin diamonds will do where nothing better can 
be found, but base ball must be played on a turf 
diamond to bring out all the beauties of the game. 

The infielders must make plays on the dead run, 
and being often forced to time a ball between 
bounds, depend fully on the grounds being as smooth, 
as a billiard table, as the least thing will throw a ball 
out of its true course, and only the real phenome- 
nons can play grounders on a rough surface. Here 
and there you will discover a player who will trap 
a ball between bounds in such a way that a rough 
surface is overcome. The average player, how- 
ever, must have a smooth surface or show up badly 
at times. {.Nearly all of the hard drives to short 
and second are picked up on unturfed grounds, 
first and third alone being forced to face the hot 
shot as the ball comes off the grass. 

Nine-tenths of the misplays made in the outfield 
on ground balls are the fault of the ground not 
being properly leveled and cared for. 



. 



Spalding's athletic libeaey. 63 

PRELIMINARY TRAINING OF PLAYERS 

The major league teams go south for early prac- 
tice, while the minor league teams must work out 
at the home grounds. This is not so bad where 
the small leagues start the season quite late. The 
college teams usually work out in the gyms and 
cages before taking to the open fields. 

The great danger in the spring is sore arms, and 
the greatest care should be taken in this respect. 
The players should jog about the bases until all 
soreness has gone, when they should practice 
sprinting, and give a great deal of time to starting 
and turning the bases. 

Pitchers should work daily for some time before 
attempting to let out, and the catchers should be 
more cautious than the other players when throw- 
ing the ball. 

When the men are in condition, extra speed 
should be tried and the development of team work 
practiced constantly until the men can make the 
play blindfolded, figuratively speaking. 

The young pitchers should do the bulk of the 
boxwork in the cool spring weather, as the older 
pitchers should be allowed their own time to come 
around, as they know best when they are in win- 
ning form. 

When ready for practice, keep a pitcher in the 
box to bat against, and spend at least one-half of 
the time in bunting and place hitting. No player 
ever got too much batting practice. It isn 't neces- 
sary to smash away at the ball simply to get your 



64 

stick against the leather. Nine men out of ten who 
are successful in bunting the ball, or placing a 
pitched ball, grip the bat up short, as they have 
a better control, and more likely to meet the ball. 
Infielders should work with all the speed possible 
in practice, as this will show to advantage when in 
the games later on. Distances must be so well 
gauged that a player could make the play blind- 
folded, and this is brought about by speed prac- 
tice. 

The minor league players, handicapped by 
weather conditions, must be brought to the line by 
slow stages. Their one advantage is youth and 
players can stand most any kind of weather until 
they have encountered lame arms or strains of any 
kind. 

NERVE COUNTS IN BASE BALL 

One of the most essential qualities to a winning 
player's make up is nerve. Without nerve a ball 
player has little chance of winning a place among 
the stars of the profession. Although several have 
shown to good advantage as players, yet a lack of 
nerve at the time when it required staying prowess 
lost for these men the wholesome respect of the 
Base Ball fraternity, who admire nerve, perhaps 
more than brilliant playing qualities. 

A player who will become rattled is an easy man 
to beat out, but just as soon as the discovery is 
made that a player has the nerve to go the dis- 
tance, he is then passed up as one to be left alone. 
On the other hand, let it be whispered about that 



SPALDING^'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 65 

a player lacks nerve, and he is sure to become a 
mark for his opponents, who will bother him in. 
many ways and keep his attention off his work. 

Men strengthen their nerves by playing to- 
gether ; often weak-hearted players will brace when 
blended with a nervy bunch, as the latter will see 
the advantage of encouraging their fellow-work- 
men, wl;io has the ability, but not the fire, to be 
effective under trying situations. 

Some ball players fairly shine when the situa- 
tion is critical, and extra fine work is called for. 
They become cool under fire and plan their de- 
fence like magic. They have strong nerves and 
hearts that beat with the regulation of an old hall 
clock. Matched against this brand of ball player, 
what chance has a man with a fluttering heart and 
a nerve affected by every passing cloud ? 

To keep the nerve keyed up to its proper 
strength ball players must take care of their sys- 
tems, by avoiding all dissipation, and not live the 
strenuous life. Those who start without the real 
nerve can never be expected to develop the favor, 
although association with the real thing will help 
considerably. 

PLAYERS SHOULD KNOW THE RULES 

It can be set down for a positive fact that less 
than one-half the professional ball players fully 
understand the playing rules. 

Only a small majority of the ball players make 
any study of the rules, and are ever at a loss to 



66 SPALDING S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 

explain complicated plays and show surprise at the 
umpire's findings. 

Usually all is left to the captain of the team, 
who is supposed to read up on the new rules each 
season and teach the men before the regular games 
begin. 

The wise player will carefully read the rules and 
become thoroughly posted at all times, protecting 
his own game, and showing that he takes an in- 
terest in his business. 

Many players who apply for umpire berths and 
feel competent to do well after being asked three or 
four offhand questions, have been forced to admit 
they had not learned their lesson before applying 
for the place, despite their actual playing experi- 
ence. 

There is no excuse for any player to say that the 
rules are too intricate and hard to understand. Each 
year in the Spalding Official Base Ball Guide a num- 
ber of questions and answers on plays that arise in a 
game are printed. In addition, "Knotty Problems 
and How to Umpire/^ by Billy Evans, the well 
known umpire of the American League, is a book 
that gives numerous instances of legal and illegal 
plays. Umpire Evans' book is published in the 
Spalding Athletic Library series. 

COLLIDING ON THE BALL FIELD 
Team mates colliding on a ball field during a 
game is wholly unnecessary, and yet many games 
have been lost in this way, especially before large 



Spalding's athletic libeary. 67 

crowds. During ordinary games, with little or no 
noise from cheering crowds, players can avoid all 
the trouble, by calling out, ''I have it," when the 
fielders are after a fly ball. No player should call 
out until he is sure that he can reach the ball. 
Then when he does call out the other player or 
players running for the same fly should play to 
back up, and give the man who is after the ball a 
fair and open field. Once a fielder calls that he 
has it, he alone should pay attention to the ball, 
and he should make every effort to reach the ball 
knowing that he had a clear field. 

Where large crowds attend the games, such as 
were present at the great world's championship 
series, the players should work with signals, as it 
is impossible to hear what players say. I would 
suggest that as soon as a player finds he can take 
the ball, that he stretch out his arms. This would 
not impede his speed and would be easily under- 
stood. In foot ball the player about to make a fair 
catch raises one hand above his head. 

This signal would handicap a ball player at full 
speed, while throwing the hands wide apart is a 
natural move for a fielder about to pull down a 
fly ball. 

Both the second baseman and the shortstop are 
supposed to dash into the outfield at full speed for 
every short fly ball, and the fact that they are run- 
ning with their back to the plate forces the out- 
fielders to allow them to try for many balls that 
would have been easy for the outfielders. In cases 



68 Spalding's athletic libeaet. 

of this kind all depends on the outfielder. If he 
calls out in time the infielder can stop. The trouble 
will come where the noise from the crowd prevents 
one player hearing the other. In this contingency 
the outfielder must protect the infielder by allow- 
ing the latter to make the play if possible ; in fact, 
all depends on the outfielder. 



DETERMINING AN INFIELD FLY. 

"How do you determine an infield fiy?" That 
question is asked time and again during the playing 
season, and equally often during the winter months. 

"Is there any time when certain conditions play 
a determining part as to whether the effort of the 
batsman is an infield fly or not?" That is another 
question that is often put up for discussion by the 
fan, also the player. Some Interesting conditions 
can arise relative to the second query. 

Very often people get the impression that a ball 
must go a certain distance in the air, before the um- 
pire makes up his mind that said effort comes under 
the classification of an infield fly. Other people are 
of the impression that a fly ball must be actually 
handled by an infielder, before it can come under 
said classification. Both impressions are entirely er- 
roneous, as are many others concerning the infield 
fly, which, by the way, never fails to stir up con- 
siderable agitation during the playing season. 

An infield fiy is just exactly what the Spalding 
Official Base Ball Guide says it is, "any fiy ball other 



Spalding's athletic library. 69 

than a line drive that can be handled by an infielder/' 
That section puts it entirely up to the umpire's 
judgment. Therefore, when the batsman, with men 
on first and second, or first, second and third, hits 
a fly ball, and less than two men are out, it instantly 
becomes the duty of the umpire to decide whether or 
not he believes the ball can be handled by an infielder. 
Most umpires always believe it a wise move to reach 
a quick decision, because the base-runner seeks pro- 
tection at once, and he looks for advice from the 
umpire as to his definition of the hit. Once he makes 
his ruling he must go through with it. His decision 
makes the effort an infield fly and retires the bats- 
man, even though no infielder handles the ball, even 
though an outfielder attempts to do so. 

There is just one situation where the umpire should 
use great care as to his ruling on the infield fly. Such 
a situation comes with runners on first and second, 
and it becomes the duty of the batsman to attempt 
to move both runners up a base through the medium 
of a sacrifice, in other words, a bunt. The infield 
when expecting such a play resort to strategy to 
take care of all situations that may arise. At the 
start of the delivery the entire infield is in motion. 
It becomes the duty of the third baseman to cover that 
sack, in case there is a chance for a force at that base. 
The shortstop moves over to take care of any play 
at second, while the second baseman rushes over to 
cover first. It becomes the duty of the pitcher to 



70 

handle all bunts down the third base way, while the 
first baseman takes care of all in his direction. 

Major league umpires exercise great care in such a 
crisis. Bunted fly balls that under ordinary condi- 
tions might be construed as infield flies are not so 
regarded. It is deemed wise to make the infielders 
handle any kind of a batted ball with such condi- 
tions existing. This because the entire infield is in 
motion on the play, making it absolutely impossible 
to handle some plays that come up, which under 
ordinary conditions would be an easy out. 

This play is a source of constant trouble in the 
minors and with amateurs, where the umpires fail to 
take into consideration the conditions, rule the hit an 
infield fly and very often the ball drops to the ground 
without any one even coming close to making a play 
on it. 

THE MEANING OF ACTUALLY HOLDING 
THE BALL 

In base ball, retaining possession of the ball, with- 
out having said ball touch the ground, is considered 
holding the ball. If an outfielder gets under a fly 
ball, has it strike his hands and then bound out sev- 
eral times, but finally securely holding it, it is con- 
sidered a fair and proper catch. If a ball is thrown 
to a baseman and l)ounds out several times, but is 
finally caught without having come into contact with 
the ground in any way, it is considered held. 

On the proper interpretation of the word "held" 



Spalding's athletic libraey. 71 

depends the correct interpretation of a rule which 
has caused considerable comment among the leading 
umpires of the country. 

For illustration, we will say there is a runner on 
third base and he attempts a steal of home. He 
starts a bit too soon, the pitcher divines his intent, 
steps off the rubber and throws the ball to the catcher. 
It seems certain that the runner is going to be caught 
ten feet. The runner realizes that his chances are 
extremely slim to reach the plate, makes up his mind 
that his only chance depends upon a hard slide, in 
the hope that the catcher in the collision might drop 
the ball. The catcher puts the ball on the runner 
several yards in front of the home plate and, as the 
runner had hoped, the force of the collision knocked 
the ball out of the catcher's hands into the air. The 
catcher recovered the ball before it touched the 
ground, but in the meantime the runner had slid 
safely over the plate. 

Of course, the question that arises is, Did the man 
score or is the runner out? The run did not score, 
the man who attempted the steal of home was out 
at the plate. Offhand, you may not be able to see 
the situation in that light ; you might say, "How so ? 
The catcher did not hold the ball at the time of the 
touch." That is all very true, but the fact remains 
that the catcher did not drop the ball, figuring on 
the generally accepted definition of "held," from a 
base ball standpoint. 



"^2 Spalding's athletic libeaby. 

Section 9 of Eule 36 is the point involved. That 
section, which relates to when base-runners are out, 
reads : ^The base runner is out, if at any time while 
the ball is in play, he be touched by the ball in the 
hands of a fielder, unless some part of his person be 
touching the base he is entitled to occupy. Provided,, 
however, that the ball be held by the fielder after.i 
touching him, unless the base-runner deliberately; 
knock it out of his hand." 

In the case cited, where the catcher put the ball on 
the runner several yards in front of the home plate, 
although the ball was juggled for the time being, he 
held it ; therefore the runner was out. It seems to be 
the impression of a great many that when a fielder 
puts the ball on a runner he must hold it at the time 
of contact. Such, of course, is not the case. If one 
simply remembers that held is considered meaning 
retaining possession of the ball, without the same com- 
ing into contact with the ground or being caught in 
the uniform of the player, it would all be very easy. 



Spalding's athletic library. 73 

TEMPERAMENT A FACTOR 

From the New York Sun 

The following article on what constitutes a suc- 
cessful ball player enters into the subject from 
the usual standard of playing ability alone; 

The more one sees of base ball the more con- 
vincing it is that the leading difference between a 
big league player and a minor leaguer is tempera- 
ment or mentality. Few ball players are capable 
of developing into Cobbs or Speakers. Base ball 
produces its geniuses, the same as music, the arts 
or professions. But there are many ball players 
of exceptional ability in the country who could 
play big league ball if they could only forget they 
were in the major leagues. 

Some managers, among them John McGraw, say 
a hitter must be born and that no man can be 
taught how to bat unless the instinct is with him. 
There are a few cases where poor minor league hit- 
ters taught themselves how to hit. Milan of Wash- 
ington and Archer of the Cubs were examples. 
However, managers will say a player like Milan 
always had the batting instinct, as no batting prac- 
tice could have brought out the natural knack of 
hitting a ball unless it already was there. 

All of which strengthens the argument that a 
player must have big league mentality to remain 
in the big leagues. 

All good hitters in base ball are not in the major 
leagues. You will find them scattered through the 



74 Spalding's athletic libkaky. 

minors, in the county leagues, semi-pro fields and 
even in the amateur ranks — players who have 
every physical requirement, who stand out among 
their fellows like so many Speakers and who un- 
questionably have what players call the knack of 
' ' busting the apple. ' ' But lift such players out of 
their surroundings and they are lost. They act 
like a fish in a strange pond. At the same time 
the ability is there. 

A fan in Macon recently started a discussion by 
the statement: ''I travel around a good bit and 
see many big league games in the North, and I 
have tried to discover where the big league ball 
differs so much from the minor league ball — even 
such ball as we have down here. 

''They play the same game, the sacrifice, the 
hit-and-run; our pitchers try to outguess the bat- 
ters and vice versa; we have great catches and 
spectacular stops, and each club has one or two 
players who always cause a thrill when at bat. And 
should our pitcher strike out such a batter we are 
as pleased about it as when one of your Northern 
pitchers strikes out a man like Cobb, Speaker or 
Collins.'' 

"The best players of course are in the big 
leagues," says Bobbie Gilks, the well-known scout, 
"but temperament keeps back a lot of fine 
ball players. Some players we recommend do 
much better than expected. Others, who often look 
much better in the minors, fail dismally. ' ' 

The big league temperament applies just as 



75 

much to fielding and pitching as to batting — per- 
haps more so. There never were more than eight 
or possibly ten real able shortstops in the big 
leagues. And how many fans have seen players in 
small minor leagues or on semi-professional fields go 
far to their left for balls or knock them down over 
second base in true Fletcher or Maranville fashion. 

Shortstops who have been regarded as wizards 
in the colleges or minors sometimes kick every- 
thing that comes their way as soon as they are pro- 
moted to the majors, and cannot cover the ground 
they stood on. But once back in their own com- 
pany they again are the same stars as before. 

The minors are full of such fielders and pitchers. 
Scouts never notice them. If you ask about them, 
it is the same story: **Yes, I know about Bill or 
Jake. He is a great minor league player, and that 
lets him out.'' 

These players have been up once, twice and even 
three times, only to be bloomers each time. Even 
at the training camp they looked like sure win- 
ners, but as soon as they were put in a big league 
game they blew right apart, and you read about 
*' another exploded phenom.'' 

Base ball men say such players lack confidence, 
which unquestionably is true, but that lack of con- 
fidence expresses a minor league base ball mentality. 
Such a player does not believe in himself, and as 
soon as he is thrown in contact with the game's 
leading stars he is thrown into a mental panic, 
and his game naturally suffers. 



76 Spalding's athletic libeaby. 



WHEN NOT TO HIT THE BALL 



"Won by Waiting" was the title of a popular novel 
published some years ago, and it would have made an 
equally applicable heading for the present chapter. 

Not all think alike as to some of the minor de- 
tails of base ball, no matter how essential it may 
be that the general intent and scheme of the game 
be somewhat uniform in play and purpose. James 
Crusinberry, a base ball writer of reputation in 
Chicago, in a recent article throws some light on 
the methods of Fred Mitchell, formerly manager of 
the Chicago National League Club, and now, in addi- 
tion, president of that organization. Mr. Crusin- 
berry says^: 

"Several years ago, the base ball teams of two 
big Eastern universities were battling in the final 
game of the season to decide the championship. 
One team was coached by a man who had served in 
the major leagues as a professional player, and the 
other was led by a man whose only experience in 
the national game had been with a college team. 
In spite of the fact that the team coached by the 
college man was the stronger, the championship 
was won by the team led by the former profes- 
sional player. The game was won only by superior 
generalship. 

''The team with the college-trained coach had a 
pitcher noted for his wonderful speed and tre- 



Spalding's athletic library. '^7 

mendous curve, who had been striking out from 
fifteen to twenty collegians in all of his games. 
The professional coach knew that his only chance 
to win was to wear out the big pitcher; so he 
planned his method of play with that end in view, 
from the very first inning. He ordered all his 
batsmen to make the big fellow work by trying, 
in each case, to get the call of three and two be- 
fore swinging at a ball. 

' ' The game dragged along, under that plan, un- 
til, by the time the ninth inning arrived, the col- 
lege coach's team had the score in its favor by a 
count of 1 to 0. After two men were out, one 
batsman on the other side succeeded in getting a 
two-base hit. At least eighteen men had been 
struck out and the big pitcher was trying to fan 
every man who faced him. 

''When the two-base hit occurred, the profes- 
sional coach grabbed the next batter by the arm 
and said : 

'' 'Now, old man, remember you are the win- 
ning run. You have to get on first base in order 
to score. Don't you attempt to swing at anything 
until after two strikes are called, and then you 
make that big guy pitch before you offer to hit. ' 

' ' The batsman followed orders, and with the call 
three and two, he took one barely below the knees 
for a fourth ball and walked to first base. 

"Immediately the professional coach grabbed 
the next batter and gave him the same sort of in- 
struction. 



78 Spalding's athletic libraey. 

* ' ' That big fellow is worried and tired, ' he said. 
'You make him pitch; keep your bat on your 
shoulder as long as possible.' 

"The result was that another batsman walked, 
filling the bases; and the big pitcher sure was 
worried. Again the professional coach grabbed the 
coming batter and shaking his finger under the 
young fellow 's nose, said : 

** 'If you try to hit a ball before two strikes 
are called on you, I'll hit you right in the jaw.' 

"The big pitcher, in great distress, seemed to 
think his only chance to save the game was to 
strike out the batter; so he immediately started 
work with all the 'stuff' he possessed. The first 
ball he pitched was a curve that hit the ground 
and skipped past the catcher, allowing the man on 
third to get home with the tying run. Then the 
slab star, who had fanned more batters than any 
collegian in the East, blew all to pieces. If his 
life had depended upon it, he couldn't have got a 
ball over the plate. He walked the next two bat- 
ters and forced in the winning run, ending the 
game. 

"When it was all over, one of the professors of 
the school where the old professional player was 
coach came to the dressing room and shook hands 
with all the boys and the coach as well ; but when 
he shook hands with the coach, he said : 

" 'I'm awfully glad you won the game, but I 
didn't like the way you won it. It didn't seem 
sportsmanlike. I wish one of the boys had hit that 
ball to the fence, and won the day that way. ' 



79 

''The coach smiled; but he couldn't resist giving 
an answer about like this: 

'' 'Professor, you may know a lot about Greek 
and Latin, but you don't know much about base 
ball.' 

"The professional player who is the hero of 
this incident is none other than Fred Mitchell, 
manager of the Chicago Cubs. He uses the very 
same method of play in the National League pen- 
nant race that he used in trying to lead that team 
of collegians to a championship. Although his 
system, which is one of percentages, was new to a 
lot of the players on the Cub team, they soon ab- 
sorbed it. Mitchell is convinced that such a sys- 
tem is the only way possible for a bad team to beat 
a good one. Accordingly, he doesn't worry greatly, 
with the system in operation, over the fact that he 
has a rather weak-hitting team and only one or 
two men who are speedy and alert on the bases. 
What he wants is a player who has, first, enough 
gray matter to learn the system, and, second, 
enough wits to follow it in a game of ball. 

' ' Before he accepted the position of manager for 
the Cubs, Mitchell was assistant to George Stallings 
in leading the Boston Braves. Much of the suc- 
cess of that team is due to Mitchell and his sys- 
tem. Stallings is a great leader of men, but it is 
doubtful if he could have pulled the Braves from 
a tailend position to a world's championship, if 
he hadn't had Mitchell by his side to teach the 



80 



SPALDING S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 



system and a squad of players with brains enough 
to follow it. 

* ' The general impression among base ball fans is 
that games are won by hitting the ball. This sys- 
tem of play introduced by Mitchell seems, however, 
to prove just the opposite. He won the college 
game, you remember, by demanding that his play- 
ers refrain from hitting the ball. According to 
the old-time method, the batter should have tried 
to hit the ball to the fence as soon as that one man 
got on second base. But the percentages of base 
ball show that it takes a good sticker to turn the 
trick of hitting to the fence once in four or five 
trials. If the college batsman had tried to make 
a big hit, it would have been about a 5 to 1 shot 
that he would not have succeeded. It is more 
than likely that he would have popped one up in 
the air — and the game would have ended with the 
tying run left on second base. By ordering his 
men to lay off the ball until after two strikes had 
been called, Mitchell knew that the pitcher was 
bound to be weakened a little and lose some of 
his stuff, thereby not only giving the batsman a 
better chance of hitting the ball hard, if it became 
necessary to hit, but at the same time giving him a 
chance to draw a base on balls. A pitcher can't 
get very tired from pitching if all the batters hit 
the first ball; but if the batter keeps his bat on 
his shoulder until two strikes are called, the hurler 
will have to pitch about six times to each batsman 
instead of once. Moreover, since no one can get a 
base on balls by hitting the first ball pitched, and 



Spalding's athletic libkaky. 81 

since his chances of reaching first base alive by 
hitting the first ball are only about one in four, 
Mitchell's holding-back policy can't help but pay 
in the end. 

''The Mitchell system isn't exactly new, though 
it is just a bit different from any employed in the 
past. Fielder Jones used about the same method 
away back in 1906, when he won a world's cham- 
pionship with the "White Sox, a team which, though 
the weakest in the major leagues in batting, was 
'^omposed of brainy fellows who knew the art of 
wearing out an opposing pitcher and winning a 
game of ball on two or three base-hits. In order 
to follow such a system of play, the .350 batter 
who knows little else except how to drive the ball 
to the fence is less desirable than the .250 batter 
who, instead of being fussed after two strikes have 
been called on him, still possesses his wits and 
ability to make the pitcher work. 

''While the Cubs were training on the Pacific 
Coast for the coming National League season, Mit- 
chell was laboring with his men daily, trying to 
get them to absorb his system. One day when they 
were engaged in an exhibition game of ball against 
the San Francisco team, I saw him give one of his 
players a severe calling for making a two-base hit 
to the fence. It was late in the game and one run 
was needed to win. Runners were on first and 
third with two out, and Mitchell figured on turn- 
ing the double steal for the winning run. The 
pitcher served a 'cripple' to the batter — a nice 



82 Spalding's athletic library. 

easy one right in the groove, and the batter forgot 
all about the system and took a full swing. He 
happened to meet the ball squarely, and drove it 
to the fence for two bases, sending both base- 
runners home. He was not a little surprised, after 
the game, when, instead of being patted on the 
back for his feat, he was reprimanded by the 
manager and told that if that play had occurred 
in a regular game of ball he would have been 
fined. 

'' 'But he handed me a ''cripple," ' said the 
player, 'and I knew I could kill it.' 

" 'That's no way to figure,' answered Mitchell. 
* Even with a ' ' cripple, ' ' your chance of making a 
base-hit there was about one in four. You would 
have felt fine if you had popped it up or even 
hit a liner right into someone's hands.' 

"While the general idea of the system is to re- 
frain from swinging at the ball, there are times 
when just the opposite is the rule; otherwise the 
opposing pitchers would soon be wise, and would 
buzz the first two right over the middle, getting 
the batsman in the hole. In order to make the 
system a success, someone must cross the pitcher 
every little while and take a full swing at the first 
ball. When it is seen that the hurler is laying the 
first one over, in the belief that the batter will 
take it, the batter is instructed to take a toe-hold 
and hit with all his might at the ball, no matter 
where it is. Then the pitcher is up in the air again 
and doesn't know what to do. The scheme of the 
system is to make the pitcher work — to make him 



Spalding's athletic library. ^3 

pitch as many times as possible, because no pitcher 
can go out and pitch about two hundred times in 
a game without getting somewhat tired and losing 
a little of his stuff. 

''One of the best players in the game to follow 
instructions and carry out a prescribed form of 
play is Larry Doyle. Though Doyle has hit over 
the .300 mark a few times and led the league one 
year in batting, he really is about a .280 hitter. 
He is the kind of batter, however, who is not fussed 
when two strikes are called, but is able to hit the 
ball just the same and keep on worrying the 
pitcher. 

''One reason Mitchell's system proved a success 
in Boston was that there were three or four players 
among the Braves with brains enough to absorb it 
and follow it through to the finish. One of them 
was 'Kabbit' Maranville. Though a great defen- 
sive player, as every one knows, he has never been 
much of a batsman, yet he was a central figure in 
carrying out the system of getting runs — and if 
one looks back over the scores of the Boston team 
for the last three years, he will find that they were 
getting two and three runs on an average of five 
or six hits, and three and four runs on about seven 
hits. 'Red' Smith, who played third for the 
Braves, was really a weak hitter, but he, too, fitted 
in with the system. Johnny Evers, of course, was 
one of the main cogs in the machine and one of the 
greatest batters in the league for bothering a 
pitcher, yet Evers never was a leading batsman. 



84 Spalding's athletic library. 

Seldom in his career has he finished a season with 
an average of .300. According to the system, it 
isn't the stars who win pennants, but the method 
of play. When one remembers how the Boston 
Braves came from the tailend position in 1914 and 
finished with the world's championship pennant 
in their possession, one feels that maybe there is 
something in that method. 

' ' Base ball is pretty much like any other activity. 
No one can succeed in it by skill alone. He has to 
have a good thinking apparatus behind his hands 
if he is to amount to anything. Many managers 
and coaches haven't yet awakened to this fact. 
When they do the national game will be the better 
for it." 

Not all base ball managers can or are likely to 
be given an opportunity similar to that which Mit- 
chell enjoyed, but all can gather the theory of his 
method and perhaps improve their own methods 
by an analysis of his. There is no fixed practice in 
base ball. It would be absurd to attempt to play 
the game by a never varying system of attack. 
On the other hand, there comes to be in the course 
of time a "style" in base ball which the expert 
critic learns to distinguish. McGraw has a gen- 
eral policy of his own which carries fear to his 
rivals and he is likely at any moment to vary it 
by methods opposite and entirely at variance with 
those he had pursued, resulting in the complete un- 
doing of his opponents. 



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Eatent laced back and thumb; leather lace, leather bound edges, 
eather strap and buckle fastening Each, $8.00 

No. 5-0. "League Extra.'* Molded face. Special tanned buff colored leather, 
soft and pUable; patent hand formed felt padding; strap-and-buckle fast- 
ening at back, reinforced and laced at thumb, and made with patent laced 
back. Heel of hand piece felt lined. Leather boimd edges Each $7.00 

No. 4-0. "League Special.** Molded face. Special tanned brown leather; 
patent hand formed felt padding; reinforced and laced at thumb; patent 
laced back, leather lace; strap-and-buckle fastening at back. Heel of 
hand piece felt lined. Leather bound edges Each, $5.00 

No. O. "Interstate." Brown leather face and finger piece; leather back and side 
piece; strap-and-buckle fastening; patent laced back; leather lace. Heel of 
handpiece felt lined Each, $4.50 

No. AA. ''Athletic." Brown leather face and finger piece, black leather back and 
side piece; patent laced back, leather lace; strap-and-buckle fastening. $3.75 

No. IC. "Back-Stop." Gray leather face and finger piece; oak colored leather 
side piece. Strap-and-buckle; patent laced back, leather lace. Each. $3.25 

No. 3. "Amateur." Oak colored leather face and finger piece; imitation leather 
back. Reinforced at thumb ; strap-and-buckle fastening Each, $2.25 

No. 3A. "Public School." Oak colored leather face and fingers. Canvas back 
and Army gum fabric side piece. Reinforced at thumb Each, $1 .60 

No. 4E. "Boys* Amateur." Oak colored leather face and fingers, canvas back 
and Army gum fabric side piece. Good size Each, $1.10 

All Styles Made in Rights and Lefts 
When Ordering for Left Handed Players Specify *'Full Right** 



3 



raOMniTTENTIONSIVENTOl 
ANT COMMUi 
jOORESSfDTOOS 



A.G.SPALDING &, BROS. 

STORES IN ALL LARGE CITIES 



FncOMPtmuSTOFSTOKS 

SEEWaOEFMINTCOffl 

Df TMB Iflfll 



PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTlCE.,rafj 



ii«tf>ajiiiHJji.iiJi.i(ifc jgam 




SPALDING INFIELDERS* GLOVES 

No. BBH. "Honor." All horsehide, 
special buck tanning, including full 
lining, malcing this really the most 
durable and "wearable" fielders' glove 
ever put out. Leather welted seams, 
Laced at heel Each, $7.50 

No. BBl. *'World Series." Finest quality 
buckskin. Most carefully constructed, 
being of good width and length, but noti 
clumsy. Leather lined. Welted seams. ^ 
King Patent Felt Padding. Each, $6.50 

No. PXL. "Professional." Finest buck- 
skin obtainable. Heavily padded aroimd 
edges and little finger. Extra long to 
protect the wrist. Leather lined. Welted 
seams. In regular and "Cadet" fingers . 
Each, $6.00 

No. XWL. "League Special." Specially tanned calfskin. Extra long to 
protect wrist. Leather lined. Welted seams Each, $6.00 

No. 2W. *'Minor League." Smoked horsehide. Professional model; 
leather lined; laced at wrist; welted seams , . .Each, $5.50 

No. 3X. ••Semi-Pro." Gray buck tanned leather. A very large model. 
Correctly padded ; welted seams. Leather lined Each, $5.00 

No. XL. "Club Special." Special white tanned leather; laced at wrist 
to adjust padding; welted seams; leather lined Each, $5.00 

No. 4X. "Association." Brown leather, specially treated. Laced at 
wrist. Welted "eams ; leather lined Each, $4.00 

No. MO. "Ours." Made of selected oak tanned leather, leather lined. 

Each, $3.25 

No. XS. "Practice." Good quality pearl tanned leather; well finished; 

welted seams; leather lined Each, $2.75 

No. 15. "Regulation." Men's size. Brown tanned leather, padded; 
welted seams; leather lined.' Each, $2.50 

No. 15R. "Regulation." Men's size. Black tanned leather, laced at 
wrist for padding adjustment; leather lined. Each, $2.50 

No. 15W. "Mascot." Men's size. Oak colored leather; leather 
lined Each, $2.25 

No. 13. ••Interscholastic." Youths' size. Oak tanned Drown leather, 
welted seams; palm leather lined Each. $1.60 

No. 17. ••Youths'." Good size; special brown tanned leather; nicely 
padded; pahn leather lined Each, $l.io 

An extra piece of felt padding is enclosed with each King Patent Glove. 

All of above gloves are made with Diverted Seam (Pat. March 10, 1908), and have 
web of leather between thumb and first finger which can be cut out if not required. 

Hade In Rights and Lefts. When ordering for Left Handed Players Specify 'Tull Right** 



HSItEFHMTCna. I 



nOMTT ATTENTION tlVElin I 

ANT COHMUNICiTlONJ 

milESiE0TOeS 



A.G.SPALDING & BROS. 

STORES IN ALL LARGE CITIES 



PRICES SUBJECT_TO CHANGE WrTHfiUIL NOTICE..,.^ C5«.ata._i!ri«» -. wo^ c«»*« C!i^u«i» 



SPALDING BASEMEN'S MITTS 




No. ABX. "Stick on the Hand.'* 

The "Stick-on-the-Hand" construe 

(^AlOl^jj ""'^^ tion will prove of wonderful assist- 

Xtat-o»-«^ '^m ance. Laced, except around thumb 

yf^ ^« and heel, leather lace; strap-and- 

buckle adjustment at thumb. 

Each, $8.50 

No. AXP. "World Series." Finest 
white tanned buck; leather lacing 
arovmd mitt, including thumb ; strap- 
and-buckle fastening. Leather strap 
support at thumb. King Patent 
Padding Each, $8.00 

N ABX -^^^ ^^P- "World Series." Finest 
No. ABA selected brown calfskin; leather lac- 
ing ; strap-and-buckle fastening. Leather strap support at thumb. King 
Patent Padding Each, $7.50 

No. BXS. "League Special." Selected brown calfskin, bound with 
brown leather. Leather laced, except heel; leather strap support at 
thimib; strap-and-buckle fastening Each, $7.00 

No. BXB. "Well Broke." Brown horse hide, bound with black leather. 
Leather laced, except thvunb and heel. Strap-and-buckle adjustment at 
thumb Each, $6.50 

No. CD. "Red Oak." Oak colored leather with leather binding. Leather 
laced, except at thumb and heel, leather strap support at thumb. Strap- 
and-buckle fastening Each, $5.00 

No. ex. "Semi-Pro." Face of specially tanned smoke color leather, 
back of firm tanned brown leather, laced, except at heel. Strap-and- 
buckle fastening Each, $3.50 

No. CXS. "Amateur." Special oak colored leather.. Correctly 
padded; laced, except at heel. Strap-and-buckle fastening. Each, $3.00 

No. DX. "Double Play." Oak tanned leather; laced all around, 
except at heel, Strap-and-buckle fastening. Nicely padded. .Each, $2.75 

No. EX. "League Junior." Black leather face. Laced, except at 
heel; padded. Strap-and-button fastening Each, $2.25 

All Styles Made in Rights and Lefts 
When Ordering for Left Handed Players Specify "Full Right'* 



ll PROMPT AHENTION GIVEN TO 
1 INY COMMUNICATIONS 

1' """'"' 1 


A. G.SPALDING A BROS. 

STORES IN ALL LARGE CITIES 


FOR COMPLETE LIST OF STORES 

SU INSIOE FRONT COYER 

OF THIS 8001 



PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICEl. For 



•pecwl Ouudian CsUlofO* 



ACCEPT NO 
SUBSTITUTE 



Elilir«misg 



SPALDING BASE BALL BATS 

No. 150N. Spalding Natural Finish Ash Bats. Finished plain white, 
hard filled, French poUshed. 12 models Each, $1.50 

No. ISOB. Spalding Dark Brown Taped A«h Bats. Very dark brown 
Stained, except 12 in. of handle left natural. Tape wound grip. Hard 
filled, high French pohshed. 12 models Each, $1.50 

SPECIFICATIONS of Models furnished in the Nos. 150N and 160B line of bats listed above. 
Model Length Weight Model Length Weight Model Length Weight 



N1 


31 in. 


32 to 89 oz. 


N5 


34 in. 


36 to 44 oz. 


N9 


35 in. 


38 to 45 oz. 


N« 


S3 in. 


33 to 43 oz. 


N6 


34 in. 


36 to 44 oz. 


NIO 


34 in. 


36 to 44 oz. 


N3 


33 in. 


35 to 44 oz. 


N7 


34 in. 


38 to 45 oz. 


Nil 


32 in. 


40 to 44 oz. 


N4 


33 in. 


32 to 40 oz. 


N8 


32 in. 


37 to 43 oz. 


N12 

—. — • 


sain. 


40 to 47 oz. 


t 




ms^^^^^-^^^ 


r" ~_T3^ 


^^EE^^f^^m'. 






^^m 



No. 125S. Spalding "All Star" Ash Bats. Yellow stained, mottle burnt, 
hard filled, liigh French polished. Good quality second growth white 
ash. SuppUed in twelve assorted models Each, $1.25 

No. 125M. Spalding New Special College Ash Bats. Special oil tem- 
pered, natural finish, hard filled, taped eight inches on handle. Fine 
QuaUty second growth white ash. SuppUed in twelve assorted models. 

Each, $1.25 

No. 125Y. Spalding Special National Association Ash Bats. Yellow 
Stained, hard filled, two-thirds of bat light flame burnt. French polished. 
Fine grade second growth white ash, taped five inches on handle, 
Supphed in twelve assorted models Each, $1.25 

No. 125F. Spalding Hardwood Fungo Bat. 38 in. long, thin model, pro- 
fessional oil finish Each, $1.25 

No. lOOT. Spalding League, Taped Handle. Assorted models. Good 
quality white ash Each. $1.00 

No. 100. Spalding League, Plain Handle. Same as No. lOOT. Not taped 
handle Each. $1.00 

No. 75W. Spalding Willow Fungo Bat. Specially selected basswood, light 
weight, yellow stained, assorted lengths Each, 75c. 

No SOB. Spalding Junior. Boys' bat. Special finished, assorted models, 
selected white ash Each.SOc. 

N0.25B. Spalding Junior League. Boys' bat. Light weights ; good grade 
ash (six dozen in a crate) : Each, 25c. 



We do not guarantee bats against breaking. 






PBOMPT ATTENTION filffRTQ I 

.antcbmmunichtion; 

* iBDHtSSEDTOUS 



A.G.SPALDING <Sc BROS. 

STORES IN ALL -LARGE CITIES 



IFQICOIPIETELISTOFSTOIB 

${£ INSIDE mONTCOVU 

Of THIS «ODI 



JIrICES subject to change without notice. _For 



M* wooU Caaadiu CUklecHb 



ACCEPT NO 
SUBSTITUT 



^p THE SPALDING 



^ 



TRADEMARK 




SPALDING CATCHERS' MASKS 

No. 12-CL. •'Double Diamond." Has 

special truss supported frame besides 
double wiring at point where greatest 
strength is needed. Padding of new 
design. Diamond shaped opening in 
front of mouth Each, $8.00 

No. 10-0 W. "World Series." Special 
electric welded, 'Open Vision," black 
finish frame, including wire ear guards 
and circular opening in front. Weight 
is as light as consistent with absolute 
safety; padding made to conform to the 
face with comfort Each, $7.00 

No. 4-0. "Sun Protecting." Patent lea. 
ther sunshade, protects eyes without 
obstructing view. "Open Vision," 
electric welded frame of finest steel _, __ 

wire, heavy black finish. Diamond No.l2.CL 

shaped opening in front. Fitted with soft chin-pad; improved design 
hair-flUed pads, including forehead pad, and special elastic head-band . 

Each. $6.00 

No. O-P. "Semi-Pro" League. "Open Vision," electric welded best 
black annealed steel wire frame Convenient opening in front of mouth. 

Each, $4.50 

''Regulation League" Masks 

No. O-X. Men's size. "Open Vision," electric welded frame, finished in 
black. Leather covered pads Each, $2.50 

No. OXB. Youths' "Open Vision," electric welded frame, black finish. 

Each, $2.50 

No. A. Men's. Electric welded black enameled frame. Leather covered 

pads Each, $2.00 

No. B. Youths'. Electric welded black 
enameled frame, similar in quaUty through- 
out to No. A, but smaller in size. Ea., $1.50 

No. X. Electric welded black enameled frame. 
Canvas covered pads Each, $1.00 



SPALDING UMPIRES' MASK 

No. UO. "Super-Protected." Wires in 
this mask support each other and are ar- 
ranged according to an entirely new principle 
of mask construction. Eye opening is 
straight across with "Diamond" point wired 
protection. Fitted with extra padded chin 
protection and folding padded ear pieces . 

Each, $8.S0 




N0.UO 



rRQtIPTATnNTIONEIVENTOl 

ANT COMMVNICJinONS 

*DBIIES«D TO US 



A.G.SPALDING & BROS. 

STORES IN ALL LARGE CITIES 



I fOI COMPUTE UST OF STOKS 

$E£ INSIDE FRONT CSVa 

OfTlilsVHH 



PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. f« 



KiG LEAGUE 

Quality 

signifies BEST in anything. 




The Spalding Ball 
has been the 
Official Ball of the 
National League 
for Forty-one years. 



Are you using it ? 



•2i3?Ce;%"'b^. 




iP^ Official %^ \ 
mtiqnal£eQg^ \ 





A. G. Spalding & Bros, 



NEW YORK 

CHICAGO 

SAN FRANCISCO 

and other principal 

cities of the 

United States 



-s^K^MS&ZZTT^ » 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




ATHLETIC U mmmmmMmunm^mm,^ 



A St parcite book covers every 
and is Official and S 



port 




Ui'^^?i 



ST[0U1S,V904 ^3 t^ ./tL JL/ i/ 1 IN VJ PARIS 1900 

ATHLfcTIC GOODS 

ARE THE STANDARD OF THE WORLD 



A. C. Spalding ^ Bros. 



NKW YORK 



CHICAGO 



SAN-FRANCIS 
OAKLAND 



PHILADELPHIA ST. LOUIS 
BOSTON DETROIT 



CINCINNATI 
CLEVELAND 
COLUMBUS 
ATLANTA 



PITTSBURGH 
BALTIMORE 



BOSTON DETRQIT SEATTLE 

BUFFALO CINCINNATI PORTLAND 

ALBANY CLEVELAND SALT LAKECITV 

ROCHESTER COLUMBUS DENVER 

SYRACUSE ATLANTA KANSAS CITY 

PITTSBURGH LOUISVILLE MILWAUKEE 

3ALTIM0RE DALLAS MINNEAPOLIS DES MOINES 

WASHINGTON NEW ORLEANS ST, PAUL 
LONDON. ENGLAND MONTREAL. C A N, TORONTO, CAN 

LIVERPOOL. ENGLAND EDINBURGH. SCOTLAND 

BIRMINGHAM. ENGLAND GLASGOW. SCOTLAN 

MANCHESTER. ENGLAND PARIS, FRANCE 

BRISTOL. ENGLAND SY DNEY. AUSTR A LI A 

"or ro-<Vi fwvned and operated by A G Spalding 6 Bros, and u'/.e^c al/ of St :>/d<rtyJ 



NEW YORK CHICAGO SAN FRANCISCO CHICOPEE. 
BROOKLYN BOSTON PHILADELPHIA LONDON, E 



